3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment Rio de Janeiro - July 24 - 27, 2005

BELIEF AND PRACTICE OF CONDOM USE AMONG WOMEN WHO TRADE SEX FOR AMPHETAMINE IN TAIWAN

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. MoPp0201

Lee T.S.-H., Yang L.-C., Chen Y.-J.
National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

INTRODUCTION: In Taiwan, the street term Sugar Girl refers to an individual who performs a sex act in exchange for the amphetamine. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and condom use of women who trade sex for amphetamine.

METHODS: Given the goals and objectives, eligible participants were asked to indicate their willingness to participate in by signing consent forms. A total of 270 female amphetamine offenders completed a self-administered questionnaire, including personal characteristics, sexual practices, and belief of condom use.

RESULTS: Our data indicated that 29 participants (10.7%) reported that they were sugar girls who exchanged sex for amphetamine six months preceding this interview. Only 14.4% of all participants and 11.8% of sugar girls used a condom during their last sexual coitus. The results from logistic regression showed that sugar girls were more likely to be younger, used substance at earlier age, more sexual partners, and experience of coerced intercourse by people who bought sex. The results also showed that condom use during the last sexual coitus was significantly associated with beliefs of condom use and exchanging sex for amphetamine.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence that women who trade sex for amphetamine were engaging more HIV risk behaviors. Condom use rates are low enough to produce an outbreak, indicating consistency with recent trends of reported HIV cases associated with drug use in Taiwan. Intervention programs need to involve not only sugar girls, but also all substance users, including special efforts to convince them to use condoms while having sexual intercourse.

Download PDF of this abstract.

050724
Prevention | MoPp0201 | Tony Szu-Hsien Lee
10.7 238 10.7 Sexual transmission

Copyright © 2005 - International AIDS Society (IAS). All information and content relating to the abstracts from the 3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, and software is protected by copyright. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information on this web site, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information herein, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.