Ray Chen

Publications (2)4.43 Total impact

• Article: Mobility, risk behavior and HIV/STI rates among female sex workers in Kaiyuan City, Yunnan Province, China

  Haibo Wang, Ray Chen, Gerald Sharp, Katherine Brown, Kumi Smith, Guowei Ding, Xia Jin, Junjie Xu, Ruiling Dong, Ning Wang
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Abstract Background The mobility of female sex workers (FSWs) is a factor in the geographic spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study describes FSW mobility patterns in a high risk area of China to identify factors associated with increased mobility, and to study the incidence and prevalence of HIV/STIs in this group. Methods 270 FSWs recruited from a baseline cross-sectional study were invited to participate in a one-year monthly follow-up cohort study in Kaiyuan City, Yunnan Province, China from 2006 to 2007. Laboratory tests were conducted for HIV/STIs at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Results A total of 117 (43.3%) FSWs moved to another city during the year. Risk factors for increased mobility included being from another city within Yunnan (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-2.56), being from outside Yunnan (AHR 1.58, 95% CI 1.04-2.54), and working in lower risk entertainment establishments (AHR 1.55, 95% CI 1.03-2.35). HIV-positive subjects, drug users and FSWs in higher risk venue were less likely to change residence, less likely to use condoms with clients, and earned less per client, but had more working locations and more clients each month. Conclusions The least mobile FSWs were from Kaiyuan, worked in higher risk venues, were more likely to use drugs and be HIV-infected. Because FSWs characteristics differ according to the venue at which they work, future prevention work should tailor programs according to venue with a particular focus on FSWs in higher risk venues.
  BMC Infectious Diseases. 01/2010;
• Article: HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among male clients of female sex workers in Yunnan, China.

  Xia Jin, Kumi Smith, Ray Y Chen, Guowei Ding, Yan Yao, Haibo Wang, Han-Zhu Qian, Dongfang Chang, Guixiang Wang, Ning Wang
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of HIV among male clients of female sex workers (FSWs) in China. Convenience sampling methods were used to recruit 315 clients using FSW-client and client-client networks. Subjects provided information on sociodemographic characteristics and sexual and drug behavior patterns. Blood samples were collected for HIV testing and urine samples for opiate testing. Overall HIV prevalence was 6.0%; among drug users, it was 30.8%. 33.7% of respondents reported that they always use condoms in commercial sex and 63.5% that they used a condom in the last commercial sex episode. Drug use (OR: 6.1; 95% CI: 1.7 to 21.4) and lack of a regular sexual partner (OR: 6.3; 95% CI: 1.8 to 21.9) were significantly associated with HIV infection. Clients of FSWs serve as potential bridges for HIV transmission from the high-risk FSWs to the low-risk general population, making them a key target for intervention. High HIV prevalence rates among clients in Kaiyuan is particularly alarming given their risk behavior patterns including high rates of partner exchange, low condom use rates, and drug-using behaviors. Innovative interventions are needed to reduce the risk of HIV among clients and reduce the bridge of transmission to the general population.
  JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 10/2009; 53(1):131-5. · 4.43 Impact Factor