Table 1.

Social networks and their influences on condom use among older female sex workers

Social networks	Descriptions of each relationship	Influences on condom use
Family network
Children	Relation Responsible for the provision of material support and emotional support to their children Structure Older FSW was the only provider of the dependent child Child was the main concern of older FSW Function Major source of financial burden Mental burden: conflicts related to the dual role of mother and sex worker; concealment of sex worker identity; guilt; insecurity	Creates ineffective social support for condom use, because it reduced older FSWs’ ability to negotiate condom use with their clients
Husbands	Relation Weak marriage relationship Structure Physically separated Concealed Function Source of financial burden for older FSWs	Non-condom use with husbands For those who did not disclose their sex worker identity: non- condom use was sign of loyalty For those who disclose their sex worker identity: trust misled their husband into non-condom use
Workplace network
A. Supportive networks
Peers who were also sex workers	Relation Larger network size Structure Frequent contact High density network in working venue Function Tangible support, emotional support, and informational support on condom use and HIV-related prevention Norms regarding condom use were relatively well established among FSW peers	Older FSWs who were socially involved with peers: accessed HIV/STI related informational support, tangible support, and emotional support
B. Constrictive networks
Socially isolated FSWs	Relation and structure Socially isolated older FSWs: lived with their family members, rarely contacted with peers Function Socially isolated: no support from outside	Socially isolated older FSWs: less social support from peers, less access to HIV/STI preventive information
Clients	Relation A one-time sexual and business relationship Unequal transaction Structure Low income clients, including migrant workers, and aged men Greater supply of sex workers than clients’ demand Function Ineffective social supports on condom use Norms regarding condom use were not well established	Sometimes clients and sex workers defined better sex services as equating to condomless sex Coupled with the strong intention to earn money, older FSWs provided condomless sex if they were paid additional money from clients
Pimps or venue owners	Relation Reciprocal beneficial business relationship Supervisors and subordinates Structure Frequently contacted in the venues One pimp or venue owners with more than one sex worker Function Attitude towards condom use varied among pimps and venue owners Supports for HIV-related preventive program	Pimps and venue owners’ attitude towards condom use varied and mixed