Several studies indicate that
douching has few benefits but numerous adverse health outcomes, including
increased risk for sexually transmitted infections and HIV. No published study
explores douching practices among Cambodian female sex workers.
This report
provides preliminary data about the prevalence and frequency of douching among
female sex workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Survey data were obtained from 81
female sex workers who were taken into custody due to engagement in commercial
sex from March to June 2011.
Results showed that 91% of participants douched.
The mean numbers of times douched before sex and after sex per 10 sex episodes
were 4.43 (SD = 3.87) and 4.63 (SD = 3.94), respectively. Half of the
participants thought that douching could help to prevent sexually transmitted
infections including HIV; 24% were unsure about this.
Usually, douching after
sex was associated with ever obtaining an HIV test and was marginally
associated (although not statistically significant) with a higher average
number of clients per week and consistent condom use with clients. This suggests that these practices may be related to individual
perceptions of sexually transmitted infections/HIV risk or susceptibility.
Given the commonness of douching and related misperceptions among Cambodian
female sex workers, future studies and interventions are needed to prevent
adverse health problems.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/NNtdvv
By:
- 1Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas - Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA thanh.c.bui@uth.tmc.edu.
- 2Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas - Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
- 3Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas - Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv_insight
No comments:
Post a Comment