AIDS 2002
      News & Abstracts: Abstract


            Code :MoPeE3731

            Title :Characteristics of sex work in southern Vietnam based on 
            geographic and social mapping and behavioral survey 

            Authors :R Komatsu1, T L Nguyen2, T H Nguyen3, H A Mai4, P D Ly5, C 
            T Phung6, G Carl7, V R Nerurkar6, R Yanagihara6,
            Abstract:



            Background: Vietnam has a serious potential for a 
            heterosexual-driven HIV epidemic, particularly in the south. 
            Notably, in the provinces of An Giang and Kien Giang, 6.1% and 1.25% 
            of sex workers tested HIV positive in recent HIV sentinel 
            surveillance. This study used geographic and social mapping 
            techniques for sex work developed by Thai Red Cross Society to 
            identify the forms taken by sex work in these two provinces, 
            explored the qualitative characteristics relevant to HIV prevention, 
            and conducted a quantitative survey to provide a baseline for later 
            evaluation of prevention efforts. 

            Methods: Geographic and social mapping was used to establish a 
            systematic and representative sampling frame. Then, a face-to-face 
            structured survey was conducted to examine sociodemographics, sex 
            work entry and continuation, mobility and work experience, 
            HIV/AIDS/STD knowledge and experiences, treatment-seeking behavior, 
            client characteristics, condom usage, and injection drug and alcohol 
            use. 

            Results: Preliminary results among 802 sex workers showed that only 
            39% answered in the affirmative to always using condoms with 
            clients, although 85% reported using condoms with their last client. 
            Other results included: 30% had no education; 99% had never injected 
            drugs; 13% had a history of STD; and 77% had coworkers who 
            encouraged condoms. Of those with a current regular partner (63%), 
            36% always used condoms with this partner (but 26% never did). 
            Conclusions: While condom use with the last client was high, the low 
            consistent condom use and the relatively high HIV prevalence among 
            sex workers in these provinces raise serious concerns. The low 
            reported injection drug use implies that epidemic HIV in these 
            provinces is predominantly driven by heterosexual transmission, in 
            contrast to the strong influence of injection drug use at the 
            national level. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop expanded 
            programs for HIV/STD prevention in ways that fit the needs of these 
            women and their clients.





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