Cross-sectional survey of Chinese-speaking and Thai-speaking female sex workers in Sydney, Australia: factors associated with consistent condom use
Rosalind Foster A B D , Lynne McCormack A , Caroline Thng A , Handan Wand B and Anna McNulty A CA Sydney Sexual Health Centre, PO Box 1614, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia.
B Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
C School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: rosalind.foster@health.nsw.gov.au
Sexual Health 15(5) 389-395 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH17205
Submitted: 27 November 2017 Accepted: 10 April 2018 Published: 22 August 2018
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have described inconsistent condom use in Chinese- and Thai-speaking female sex workers in Sydney, Australia. In the present study, we describe the demographics and safe sexual practices in the Chinese- and Thai-speaking female sex workers attending the Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) in 2014–15. Methods: A self-completed 60-item anonymous questionnaire, adapted from previous surveys conducted in 1993 and 2003, was translated into Chinese and Thai and administered to female sex workers attending the SSHC or seen on outreach. Results: In all, 488 surveys were distributed, of which 435 were returned; 43% in Chinese and 57% in Thai. Most women did not plan on sex work before their arrival in Australia. Compared with Chinese-speaking women, Thai-speaking women rated themselves higher on English language literacy, had better knowledge of the transmission of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and were more likely to practice 100% condom use. Overall, 72% of the sex workers surveyed reported consistent condom use for vaginal sex at work. Conclusions: Consistent condom use for vaginal sex at work among Chinese- and Thai-speaking female sex workers has decreased slightly from that reported in a similar survey conducted by the SSHC in 2003, when 85% of sex workers reported consistent condom use. There are significant differences between Chinese- and Thai-speaking sex workers in terms of both knowledge and safer sex practices. Ongoing health promotion efforts should focus on providing culturally appropriate education around STIs and safe sex practices not only to workers, but also to parlour owners, managers and consumers.
Additional keywords: Culturally and linguistically diverse, health Promotion, safe sex, sex industry.
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