Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Efficacy of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Interventions Targeting Female Entertainment Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

  • Substantive Review
  • Published:
AIDS and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Female entertainment workers (FEWs) working in karaoke lounges, bars, pubs, nightclubs, discotheques, dance halls, massage parlours, restaurants (as hostesses or singers) and beer gardens are at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI). The aim of the systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of HIV/STI intervention programmes targeting FEWs. Among the 14 included studies, majority were in Asia and targeted native FEWs. Most studies were quasi-experimental and the overall quality was relatively low. While most studies employed only behavioural strategies, structural interventions were the least common. In studies with structural interventions, there was a preference for behavioural and biomedical-based outcome measurements rather than structural-related indicators. FEWs in the intervention group were significantly more likely to report condom use with paying (odds ratio OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.0–2.9, p 0.04), but not with regular (OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.8–1.3, p 0.84) partner than the control/comparison group post-intervention.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Harcourt C, Donovan B. The many faces of sex work. Sex Transm Infect. 2005;81(3):201–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Pitpitan EV, Kalichman SC, Eaton LA, Strathdee SA, Patterson TL. HIV/STI risk among venue-based female sex workers across the globe: a look back and the way forward. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2013;10(1):65–78.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Yi S, Tuot S, Chhoun P, Pal K, Tith K, Brody C. Factors associated with induced abortion among female entertainment workers: a cross-sectional study in Cambodia. BMJ Open. 2015;5(7):e007947.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Wong ML, Chan R, Tan HH, et al. Sex work and risky sexual behaviors among foreign entertainment workers in urban Singapore: findings from mystery client survey. J Urban Health. 2012;89(6):1031–44.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Li L, Wu Z, Rotheram-Borus MJ, et al. Visiting entertainment venues and sexual health in China. Arch Sex Behav. 2009;38(5):814–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Sex work in Asia. WHO regional office for the Western Pacific 2001. http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/vct/sw_toolkit/sex_work_asia.pdf. Accessed 30 Jun 2016.

  7. Lim RB, Wong ML, Tan PH, Govender M. Heterosexual men who patronise entertainment establishments versus brothels in an Asian urban setting—which group practises riskier sexual behaviours? BMC Public Health. 2015;15:777.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Lim RB, Wong ML, Cheung ON, Tham DK, Tai BC, Chan R. Factors associated with consistent condom use and STIs among foreign female entertainment workers: results from a cross-sectional survey in Singapore. Sex Transm Infect. 2016;. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2015-052530 pii: sextrans-2015-052530.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Abad N, Baack BN, O’Leary A, Mizuno Y, Herbst JH, Lyles CM. A systematic review of HIV and STI behavior change interventions for female sex workers in the United States. AIDS Behav. 2015;19(9):1701–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Chow EP, Tung K, Tucker JD, et al. Behavioral interventions improve condom use and HIV testing uptake among female sex workers in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2015;29(8):454–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Wariki WM, Ota E, Mori R, Koyanagi A, Hori N, Shibuya K. Behavioral interventions to reduce the transmission of HIV infection among sex workers and their clients in low- and middle-income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005272.pub3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Ota E, Wariki WM, Mori R, Hori N, Shibuya K. Behavioral interventions to reduce the transmission of HIV infection among sex workers and their clients in high-income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006045.pub3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Moore L, Chersich MF, Steen R, et al. Community empowerment and involvement of female sex workers in targeted sexual and reproductive health interventions in Africa: a systematic review. Global Health. 2014;10:47.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Kerrigan DL, Fonner VA, Stromdahl S, Kennedy CE. Community empowerment among female sex workers is an effective HIV prevention intervention: a systematic review of the peer-reviewed evidence from low- and middle-income countries. AIDS Behav. 2013;17(6):1926–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Hong Y, Poon AN, Zhang C. HIV/STI prevention interventions targeting FSWs in China: a systematic literature review. AIDS Care. 2011;23(Suppl 1):54–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bekker LG, Johnson L, Cowan F, et al. Combination HIV prevention for female sex workers: what is the evidence? Lancet. 2015;385(9962):72–87.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ward H, Aral SO. Globalisation, the sex industry, and health. Sexually Transm Infect. 2006;82(5):345–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Schaeffer RK. Understanding globalization: The social consequences of political, economic, and environmental change. Oxfod: Rowman & Littlefield; 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Takahashi LM, Tobin KE, To S, Chieh Mei CY, et al. A randomized controlled trial of a culturally tailored HIV prevention intervention for Chinese massage parlor women in Los Angeles. AIDS Educ Prev. 2013;25(6):508–18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Pell C, Dabbhadatta J, Harcourt C, Tribe K, O’Connor C. Demographic, migration status, and work-related changes in Asian female sex workers surveyed in Sydney, 1993 and 2003. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2006;30:157–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Nemoto T, Operario D, Takenaka M, Iwamoto M, Le MN. HIV risk among Asian women working at massage parlors in San Francisco. AIDS Educ Prev. 2003;15:245–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate healthcare interventions: explanation and elaboration. BMJ. 2009;339:b2700.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Coates TJ, Richter L, Caceres C. Behavioural strategies to reduce HIV transmission: how to make them work better. Lancet. 2008;372(9639):669–84.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Compendium of evidence-based interventions and best practices for HIV prevention, Centers for disease control and prevention, United States Department of Health & Human Services. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/research/interventionresearch/compendium/ma/index.html. Accessed 30 Jun 2016.

  25. Gupta GR, Parkhurst JO, Ogden JA, Aggleton P, Mahal A. Structural factors in HIV prevention: concepts, examples, and implications for research. AIDS. 2000;14(Suppl 1):S3–10.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Higgins JPT, Green S, editors. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions 4.2.6 [updated September 2006]. In: The Cochrane library, Issue 4, 2006. Chichester: Wiley

  27. Dickersin K, Berlin JA. Meta-analysis: state-of-the-science. Epidermiol Rev. 1992;14:154–76.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Liu J, Calzavara L, Mendelsohn JB, et al. Impact evaluation of a community-based intervention to reduce risky sexual behaviour among female sex workers in Shanghai CHINA. BMC Public Health. 2015;15:147.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Yang X, Xia G, Li X, Latkin C, Celentano D. The efficacy of a peer-assisted multi-component behavioral intervention among female entertainment workers in China: an initial assessment. AIDS Care. 2011;23(11):1509–18.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Liao S, Weeks MR, Wang Y, et al. Inclusion of the female condom in a male condom-only intervention in the sex industry in China: a cross-sectional analysis of pre- and post-intervention surveys in three study sites. Public Health. 2011;125(5):283–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Zhongdan C, Schilling RF, Shanbo W, Caiyan C, Wang Z, Jianguo S. The 100% Condom use program: a demonstration in Wuhan China. Eval Program Plan. 2008;31(1):10–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Rou K, Wu Z, Sullivan SG, et al. A five-city trial of a behavioural intervention to reduce sexually transmitted disease/HIV risk among sex workers in China. AIDS. 2007;21(Suppl 8):S95–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Wu Z, Rou K, Jia M, Duan S, Sullivan SG. The first community-based sexually transmitted disease/HIV intervention trial for female sex workers in China. AIDS. 2007;21(Suppl 8):S89–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Li X, Wang B, Fang X, et al. Short-term effect of a cultural adaptation of voluntary counseling and testing among female sex workers in China: a quasi-experimental trial. AIDS Educ Prev. 2006;18(5):406–19.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Liao SS, He QY, Choi KH, et al. Working to prevent HIV/STIs among women in the sex industry in a rural town of Hainan China. AIDS Behav. 2006;10(4 Suppl):S35–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Yi S, Tuot S, Chhoun P, Brody C, Tith K, Oum S. The impact of a community-based HIV and sexual reproductive health program on sexual and healthcare-seeking behaviors of female entertainment workers in Cambodia. BMC Infect Dis. 2015;15:221.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Morisky DE, Stein JA, Chiao C, Ksobiech K, Malow R. Impact of a social influence intervention on condom use and sexually transmitted infections among establishment-based female sex workers in the Philippines: a multilevel analysis. Health Psychol. 2006;25(5):595–603.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. van Griensven GJ, Limanonda B, Ngaokeow S, Ayuthaya SI, Poshyachinda V. Evaluation of a targeted HIV prevention programme among female commercial sex workers in the south of Thailand. Sex Transm Infect. 1998;74(1):54–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Riedner G, Hoffmann O, Rusizoka M, et al. Decline in sexually transmitted infection prevalence and HIV incidence in female bar workers attending prevention and care services in Mbeya Region Tanzania. AIDS. 2006;20(4):609–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Walden VM, Mwangulube K, Makhumula-Nkhoma P. Measuring the impact of a behaviour change intervention for commercial sex workers and their potential clients in Malawi. Health Educ Res. 1999;14(4):545–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. McCambridge J, Witton J, Elbourne DR. Systematic review of the Hawthorne effect: new concepts are needed to study research participation effects. J Clin Epidemiol. 2014;67(3):267–77.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. National Cancer Institute. Theory at a glance: A guide for health promotion practice. Bethesda: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Kreuter MW, McClure SM. The role of culture in health communication. Annu Rev Public Health. 2004;25:439–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Gupta GR, Parkhurst JO, Ogden JA, Aggleton P, Mahal A. Structural approaches to HIV prevention. Lancet. 2008;372(9640):764–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Blankenship KM, Friedman SR, Dworkin S, Mantell JE. Structural interventions: concepts, challenges and opportunities for research. J Urban Health. 2006;83(1):59–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Marston C, King E. Factors that shape young people’s sexual behaviour: a systematic review. Lancet. 2006;368(9547):1581–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Bui TC, Markham CM, Tran LT, Beasley RP, Ross MW. Condom negotiation and use among female sex workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. AIDS Behav. 2013;17(2):612–22.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. Warr DJ, Pyett PM. Difficult relations: sex work, love and intimacy. Sociol Health Illn. 1999;21(3):290–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Syvertsen JL, Robertson Bazzi AM, Scheibe A, Adebajo S, Strathdee SA, Wechsberg WM. The promise and peril of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): using social science to inform prep interventions among female sex workers. Afr J Reprod Health. 2014;18(3):74–83.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. Pettifor A, Nguyen NL, Celum C, Cowan FM, Go V, Hightow-Weidman L. Tailored combination prevention packages and PrEP for young key populations. J Int AIDS Soc. 2015;18(2 Suppl 1):19434.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Schroder KE, Carey MP, Vanable PA. Methodological challenges in research on sexual risk behavior: II. Accuracy of self-reports. Ann Behav Med. 2003;26(2):104–23.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. Stulhofer A, Graham C, Bozicević I, Kufrin K, Ajduković D. HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviors as predictors of condom use among young adults in Croatia. Int Fam Plan Perspect. 2007;33(2):58–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Systems & Behavioural Science Domain, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Tahir Foundation Building, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore

    Raymond Boon Tar Lim, Dede Kam Tyng Tham, Olive N. Y. Cheung & Mee Lian Wong

Authors
  1. Raymond Boon Tar Lim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dede Kam Tyng Tham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Olive N. Y. Cheung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mee Lian Wong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mee Lian Wong.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

RBTL, MLW, DKTT and ONYC declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Research involving human participants

This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

Appendix

Appendix

See Appendix Table 4.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lim, R.B.T., Tham, D.K.T., Cheung, O.N.Y. et al. Efficacy of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Interventions Targeting Female Entertainment Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. AIDS Behav 21, 2341–2361 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1600-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1600-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation