The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48820

Carolina Mejia, BA¹, Patricia J Garcia, MD, MPH², Patricia Segura, RN², and Virginia Gonzales, MSW, MPH, EdD³. (1) School of Public Health, Dept. of Health Services, University of Washington, Box 357660, Seattle, WA 98195-7660, 206-685-0888, cmejia@u.washington.edu, (2) Salud Pública, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado # 430 Urb, Ingeniería SMP, Lima, Peru, (3) Center for Health Education and Research (CHER), University of Washington, Box 359932, Seattle, WA 98104

Objective: To examine the impact of education group sessions on the acceptability of the female condom (FC) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Lima, Peru. Methods: Twenty FSWs who are also peer educators participated in three FC education sessions. Participants completed a baseline survey gathering demographic characteristics and FC knowledge, and two follow-up surveys gathering information on FC knowledge and use. Between session 2 and 3, participants also completed a FC log to record each use of FCs and their experiences with sex partners. Results: Following session 3, 60% of the FSWs were more willing than at baseline to use the FC with a regular client while 75% reported more willingness to use the device with a stable partner. Between all 20 FSWs, they reported attempting to use the FC 131 times; 129 attempts resulted in using the FC to have intercourse. Of the 129 times FSWs reported having sex while using the FC, 98 times they thought their partner would be willing to use the female condom the next time they had sex. In the FU group discussion, FSWs reported liking the control they gained with the FC as they insert the FC before clients arrived or have the option of offering to use the FC if the client did not want to use the male condom. Conclusion: The data suggest that following an education group session with reinforcing FU sessions, the use of FC may become an acceptable safe sex option for many FSWs and their clients.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants in this session will be able to

• Identify two reasons why female sex workers (FSWs) are willing to use the female condom (FC)
• Identify two reasons why utilizing educational group sessions as a method to teach women about the FC increases acceptability and use of FCs.

Keywords: Sex Workers, Women and HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.