Survey of AIDS prevalence in female sex workers detained in a correctional facility in Ningbo, Zhejiang

Objective To understand the HIV infection prevalence and related factors in female sex workers (FSWs) detained in a correctional facility in Ningbo and provide evidence for the development of AIDS prevention strategies. Methods Questionnaire survey and serological surveillance of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C were condcuted in 439 FSWs detained in a correctional facility in Ningbo from April to June 2010. Results The overall AIDS related knowledge awareness was 70.62%, the drug abuse rate was 5.01%, and the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in the past year was 19.39%. The condom use rate was 83.17% in the latest sex and the consistent condom use rate in the past month was 53.29%. The positive rate of HIV was 0%, the positive rate of syphilis was 21.87% and the positive rate of hepatitis C was 1.37%. Conclusion The HIV infection rate was low and the syphilis infection rate was high in the FSWs detained in Ningbo. It is necessary to strengthen the health education about the prevention of STDs and AIDS.