Club drug use and its association with syphilis infection among female sex workers

Abstract

To understand the prevalence rates of club drug use and how it associated with syphilis infection among female sex workers (FSWs) in different areas of China so as to provide reference for developing intervention programs. In each of the study site, different kinds of venues where FSWs solicited clients were mapped and grouped into three strata. The number of FSWs at each venue was enumerated. A stratified proportional sampling design was adopted to recruit FSWs. Questionnaire survey was conducted to gather data on demographic information, club drug use and sexual behaviors. Blood samples were taken and tested for syphilis. Factors associated with syphilis infection and club drug use were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results of the 1 630 participants, 120 (7.4%)used club drugs in the past 12 months, and 5.4% (88/1 630)tested positive for syphilis. Syphilis positive rate was not significantly different between FSWs who used club drugs and those who did not. Data from multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that club drug use was associated with following factors as sites of the study, hometown of the FSWs, marital status, education level, having had STD symptoms or history of injecting drugs in the past 12 months of the sex workers. Club drug use was highly prevalent among FSWs. Further studies are warranted to fully explore the association between club drug use and the risk of HIV/STD transmission.