Abstract
This study calculated the sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence rates among female sex workers (FSWs) in South Korea
and elucidated the social and behavioral risk factors that affect FSW’s infection with STIs. FSWs were recruited using a multistage
cluster probability sampling method (N = 1,073). STI prevalence rates were 9.8 % for Treponema pallidum, 2.6 % for gonorrhea, and 12.5 % for Chlamydia. The risk probability of STI infection was higher for participants with fewer
social relationships (OR = 0.99), more suicide attempt experiences (OR = 1.36), lower frequency of condom use (OR = 0.81),
lower self-efficacy (OR = 0.78), and more irregular STI examination experiences (OR = 0.69). The STI prevalence rates of FSWs
in South Korea were lower than those of FSWs in other Southeast Asian nations. While the direct factors for STI prevalence
among this population were related to safe sex, indirect factors such as social support were also significant. Because this
affects the self-efficacy of isolated individuals among sex workers, preventive interventions in STIs among FSWs must be expanded
to the promotion of social support and mental health programs.
and elucidated the social and behavioral risk factors that affect FSW’s infection with STIs. FSWs were recruited using a multistage
cluster probability sampling method (N = 1,073). STI prevalence rates were 9.8 % for Treponema pallidum, 2.6 % for gonorrhea, and 12.5 % for Chlamydia. The risk probability of STI infection was higher for participants with fewer
social relationships (OR = 0.99), more suicide attempt experiences (OR = 1.36), lower frequency of condom use (OR = 0.81),
lower self-efficacy (OR = 0.78), and more irregular STI examination experiences (OR = 0.69). The STI prevalence rates of FSWs
in South Korea were lower than those of FSWs in other Southeast Asian nations. While the direct factors for STI prevalence
among this population were related to safe sex, indirect factors such as social support were also significant. Because this
affects the self-efficacy of isolated individuals among sex workers, preventive interventions in STIs among FSWs must be expanded
to the promotion of social support and mental health programs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s11195-012-9261-9
- Authors
- Minsoo Jung, Center for Community-Based Research, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard School of Public Health, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Journal Sexuality and Disability
- Online ISSN 1573-6717
- Print ISSN 0146-1044