TY - JOUR
T1 - Unprotected fellatio between female sex workers and their clients in Sydney, Australia
AU - Read, Phillip J.
AU - Wand, Handan
AU - Guy, Rebecca
AU - Donovan, Basil
AU - McNulty, Anna M.
PY - 2012/12
Y1 - 2012/12
N2 - Objectives: To assess the frequency and predictors of inconsistent condom use for fellatio at work by female sex workers (FSW) in Sydney and the prevalence of pharyngeal gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections in these women. Methods: Cross-sectional study including all FSW attending the Sydney Sexual Health Centre for sexually transmitted infection screening between May 2009 and January 2011 and reporting fellatio at work. Univariate and multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of inconsistent condom use for fellatio. Results: Of 1540 FSW who offered fellatio at work, 372 (25%) reported inconsistent condom use for this fellatio. In multivariate analysis, speaking Mandarin or Cantonese rather than English (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.03, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.86), reporting inconsistent condom use for vaginal sex at work (AOR 10.82, 95% CI 6.13 to 19.09), reporting no vaginal sex at work (AOR 7.48, 95% CI 2.42 to 23.12) and being a new client to the clinic (AOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.83) were associated with inconsistent condom use for fellatio. Thai-speaking women were less likely to report unprotected fellatio (AOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.57). 17 women were diagnosed with pharyngeal gonorrhoea (AOR 1.1%, 95% CI 0.6% to 1.7%). Conclusions: Condom use for fellatio by Sydney FSW varies by work location and language spoken. Health promotion targeting these at-risk women is warranted. Women working in brothels masquerading as massage parlours were particularly likely to report inconsistent condom use for fellatio. Local government reluctance to approve brothels may be contributing to this problem.
AB - Objectives: To assess the frequency and predictors of inconsistent condom use for fellatio at work by female sex workers (FSW) in Sydney and the prevalence of pharyngeal gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections in these women. Methods: Cross-sectional study including all FSW attending the Sydney Sexual Health Centre for sexually transmitted infection screening between May 2009 and January 2011 and reporting fellatio at work. Univariate and multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of inconsistent condom use for fellatio. Results: Of 1540 FSW who offered fellatio at work, 372 (25%) reported inconsistent condom use for this fellatio. In multivariate analysis, speaking Mandarin or Cantonese rather than English (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.03, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.86), reporting inconsistent condom use for vaginal sex at work (AOR 10.82, 95% CI 6.13 to 19.09), reporting no vaginal sex at work (AOR 7.48, 95% CI 2.42 to 23.12) and being a new client to the clinic (AOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.83) were associated with inconsistent condom use for fellatio. Thai-speaking women were less likely to report unprotected fellatio (AOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.57). 17 women were diagnosed with pharyngeal gonorrhoea (AOR 1.1%, 95% CI 0.6% to 1.7%). Conclusions: Condom use for fellatio by Sydney FSW varies by work location and language spoken. Health promotion targeting these at-risk women is warranted. Women working in brothels masquerading as massage parlours were particularly likely to report inconsistent condom use for fellatio. Local government reluctance to approve brothels may be contributing to this problem.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84871623033&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1136/sextrans-2011-050430
DO - 10.1136/sextrans-2011-050430
M3 - Article
C2 - 22875839
AN - SCOPUS:84871623033
SN - 1368-4973
VL - 88
SP - 581
EP - 584
JO - Sexually Transmitted Infections
JF - Sexually Transmitted Infections
IS - 8
ER -