Internet use among female sex workers in China: implications for HIV/STI prevention

Based on a cross-sectional survey with 1,022 female sex workers (FSWs) recruited from different types of commercial sex venues in Southwest China, we examined their Internet-using behaviors and explored the feasibility of Internet-based HIV/STI intervention in this population. About 75% of FSWs were Internet users; among them 57% were frequent users, and 40% had searched HIV/STI information online. Internet use was significantly associated with younger age, more schooling, higher income, and engagement in a social network of Internet users. Frequent use of the Internet was associated only with factors of the social environment, such as peers' Internet use. Two thirds of Internet-using FSWs were willing to participate in an online HIV/STI prevention program. Multivariate analyses showed that willingness to participate in an online HIV/STI prevention intervention was significantly associated with higher Internet use and younger age. Our data suggest that Internet may offer a promising strategy to deliver low-cost HIV/STI prevention programs for FSWs in China.