Table 2.
HIV/STI knowledge, condom use, and risk perceptions of FSWs in Port Moresby (n = 174)
| Characteristics | % or (mean) | 95% CI or range |
|---|---|---|
| HIV knowledge | ||
| Heard of HIV | 100 | 98–100 |
| Aware HIV is transmitted through sexual contacts | 98.0 | 95–97 |
| Aware condom use prevents HIV | 70.0 | 63–76 |
| Condom use | ||
| Condom use with clients ‘always’ | 6.0 | 3–11 |
| Condom use with clients ‘sometimes’ | 79.0 | 73–85 |
| Condom use with clients ‘never’ | 15.0 | 10–21 |
| Condom use with RSPs ‘always’ | 0.0 | 0–2 |
| Condom use with RSPs ‘sometimes’ | 18.0 | 12–24 |
| Condom use with RSPs ‘never’ | 82.0 | 93–99 |
| No. of condoms in possession during interview (mean) | (3) | 4–5 |
| Reasons for inconsistent condom use | ||
| Client dislike/refusal | 40.0 | 33–48 |
| Trust | 35.0 | 28–42 |
| Unable to negotiate use | 22.0 | 16–28 |
| Inconvenient to use | 3.0 | 1–7 |
| STI knowledge | ||
| Heard of STIs | 72.0 | 65–79 |
| Heard of gonorrhea | 70.0 | 63–77 |
| Syphilis | 68.0 | 61–75 |
| Chlamydia | 25 | 19–32 |
| Trichomonas | 12 | 7–17 |
| Had STI treatment in the last 12 months | 83 | 77–88 |
| Vaginal discharge an STI symptom | 32 | 25–39 |
| Vaginal itch an STI symptom | 27 | 20–34 |
| Lower abdominal pain an STI symptom | 11 | 6–16 |
| Risk perceptions | ||
| Chance of catching HIV from client | 69 | 62–76 |
| Chance of catching from RSPs | 31 | 24–38 |
Abbreviations: FSWs, female sex workers; CI, confidence interval; RSPs, regular sexual partners; STI, sexually transmitted infection.