• Yan Hong, Chen Zhang, Xiaoming Li, Xiaoyi Fang, Xiuyun Lin, Yuejiao Zhou, and Wei Liu.
• Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA. yhong@srph.tamhsc.edu
• AIDS Behav. 2012 Jan 1;16(1):44-52.

AbstractDespite the recognized importance of HIV testing in prevention, care and treatment, HIV testing remains low in China. Millions of female sex workers (FSW) play a critical role in China's escalating HIV epidemic. Limited data are available regarding HIV testing behavior among this at-risk population. This study, based on a cross-sectional survey of 1,022 FSW recruited from communities in Southwest China, attempted to address the literature gap. Our data revealed that 48% of FSW ever took HIV testing; older age, less education, working in higher-income commercial sex venues and better HIV knowledge were associated with HIV testing. Those who never took HIV testing were more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors including inconsistent condom use with clients and stable partners. A number of psychological and structural barriers to testing were also reported. We call for culturally appropriate interventions to reduce HIV risks and promote HIV testing for vulnerable FSW in China.

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