Abstract
BackgroundIn Cambodian context, female entertainment workers (FEWs) are young women working at establishments such as karaoke bars, restaurants, beer gardens or massage parlors. FEWs may sell sex to male patrons and are considered a high-risk group for HIV. This study aimed to identify factors associated with recent HIV testing among FEWs in Cambodia to inform future prevention activities.MethodsData were collected in 2014 as part of the evaluation of a larger HIV prevention project. A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select participants from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap for face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A logistic regression model was constructed to identify independent factors associated with recent HIV testing.ResultsData were collected from 667 FEWs with a mean age of 25.6 (SD = 5.5). Of total, 81.7% reported ever having had an HIV test, and 52.8% had at least one test in the past six months. After adjustment for other covariates, factors independently associated with recent HIV testing included living in Phnom Penh (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.43–3.28), having received HIV education in the past six months (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI = 2.35–5.15), disagreeing with a statement that ‘I would rather not know if I have HIV’ (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.41–3.30), agreeing with a statement that ‘getting tested for HIV helps people feel better’ (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.13–0.81) and not using a condom in the last sexual intercourse with a non-commercial partner (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.26–0.88).ConclusionsFEWs with greater knowledge and positive attitudes towards HIV testing got tested for HIV more frequently than those with lesser knowledge and less positive attitudes. These findings suggest that future interventions should focus on disseminating tailored health messages around testing practices as well as specific topics such as condom use with non-commercial partners.
Highlights
In 2014, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among the general adult population in Cambodia was 0.3%, reflecting a significant decline from the peak of 2.0% in 1998 [1,2]
After adjustment for other covariates, factors independently associated with recent HIV testing included living in Phnom Penh (AOR = 2.17, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.43–3.28), having received HIV education in the past six months (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI = 2.35–5.15), disagreeing with a statement that ‘I would rather not know if I have HIV’ (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.41–3.30), agreeing with a statement that ‘getting tested for HIV helps people feel better’ (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.13–0.81) and not using a condom in the last sexual intercourse with a non-commercial partner (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.26–0.88)
These findings suggest that future interventions should focus on disseminating tailored health messages around testing practices as well as specific topics such as condom use with non-commercial partners
Summary
In 2014, the HIV prevalence among the general adult population in Cambodia was 0.3%, reflecting a significant decline from the peak of 2.0% in 1998 [1,2]. The reduction in HIV prevalence in the general population was attributed to the 100% condom use program that led to an increase in condom use, multi-sector programming that involved health workers, law enforcement officers, brothel owners and peer educators and increased access to voluntary confidential counseling and testing (VCCT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) [6,7,8]. Cambodia has seen a significant decrease in brothel-based sex workers but an increase in sex workers at all types of entertainment venues, including karaoke bars, massage parlors and beer gardens [10,13]. In Cambodian context, female entertainment workers (FEWs) are young women working at establishments such as karaoke bars, restaurants, beer gardens or massage parlors. University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, UNITED STATES
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
