Sentinel surveillance of AIDS among female sex workers in Huzhou, Zhejiang,2011

Objective To understand the infection status of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Huzhou and provide scientific evidence for the development of prevention and control measures. Methods According to the national AIDS surveillance standards (2011 edition), the questionnaire survey was conducted among FSWs and blood samples were taken from them to detect the antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Treponema pallidum and hepatitis C virus. Results Totally 400 FSWs were surveyed in 2011. The positive rate of HIV antibody was 0.25% and the positive rate of syphilis antibody was 7.75%. No hepatitis C antibody positive case was detected. The awareness rate of AIDS related knowledge was 90.3%. The persistent condom use rate in commercial sex was only 37.8% in past month, the coverage rate of AIDS prevention intervention was 91.3% and the awareness rate of HIV antibody test was 60.0%. Conclusion The prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection in FSWs were high in FSWs in Huzhou. It is necessary to strengthen the health education and behavior intervention in FSWs to promote the full use of condom and to control the sexual transmission of HIV infection effectively.