Sexual risk behaviours among factory workers in Shenzhen, China: a cross-sectional study
Dan Luo A # , Kechun Zhang B # , Yaqi Chen B # , Dahui Chen C , Heping Zhao A , Ganfeng Luo A , Wujian Ke D , Shaomin Wu E , Linghua Li F , He Cao B , Bolin Cao G , Yong Cai H , Zixin Wang I , Qihui Lin B * , Xiaojun Meng
J * and Huachun Zou A K *
A School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
B Longhua District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China.
C Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center, Shenzhen, China.
D Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
E School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
F Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
G School of Media and Communication, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
H School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
I Faculty of Medicine, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
J Wuxi Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuxi, China.
K Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Handling Editor: Eric Chow
Sexual Health 20(4) 315-322 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH23033
Submitted: 17 February 2023 Accepted: 28 March 2023 Published: 1 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
Abstract
Background: Factory workers are a key population for HIV transmission in China, as they often engage in sexual risk behaviours. This study aims to evaluate sexual risk behaviours and associated factors among factory workers in Shenzhen, China.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling. Full-time workers aged ≥18 years were eligible to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were applied to assess factors associated with sexual risk behaviours.
Results: A total of 2029 factory workers were included. Mean age was 37.2 (±4.4) years; 48.5% were men. Two-thirds (64.9%) had had vaginal intercourse. Their sexual risk behaviours included condomless sex with casual partners in the last sex episode (23.6%), multiple sex partners (11.5%) and engaging in commercial sex (8.4%), in the past year. Having HIV/AIDS knowledge (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24–0.70) and using a condom at sexual debut (AOR 0.08, 95% CI 0.05–0.13) were factors associated with condomless sex with casual partners in the last sex episode. Males (AOR 3.03, 95% CI 1.96–4.69 and AOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.33–3.60), local workers (AOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.01–4.42 and AOR 3.42, 95% CI 1.63–7.21), being single (AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.39–3.01 and AOR 2.49, 95% CI 1.61–3.87), having sexual debut aged <18 years (AOR 5.98, 95% CI 3.28–10.89 and AOR 3.34, 95% CI 1.74–6.39), and substance use (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.38–2.93 and AOR 4.43, 95% CI 2.85–6.87) were associated with both having multiple sex partners and engaging in commercial sex in the past year.
Conclusions: Sexual risk behaviours were prevalent despite most participants having basic HIV/AIDS knowledge. Future workplace-based prevention programs should target factory workers and there should be a focus on enhanced sexual education to reduce HIV transmission in China.
Keywords: China, commercial sex, condomless sex, factory workers, HIV, knowledge, multiple sex partners, sexual risk behaviours.
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