Risk Factors of Condom Use among Clients of Commercial Sex Workers in Saunas and Beauty Parlors in Beihai City

[Objective]To describe and analyze risk factors associated with disuse of condoms during commercial sexual intercourse among clients attending sauna and massage centers in order to set down the intervention plan.[Methods]In 2001,50 clients who were neither in penitentiary nor in clinic were selected from sauna and beauty parlors.They were surveyed by trained interviewers during provision of sexual services.Risk factors for condom usage were assessed through logistical modeling.[Results]A total of 50 clients were interviewed.The rate of condom usage for last sexual intercourse with commercial and non-commercial partners were 56.7% and 53.3% for clients of sauna center and 30.0% and 40.0% for clients of beauty parlors,respectively.The choice to use a condom was influenced by clients 60.8% of the time,sex workers 30.4% and other factors 8.8%.The choice against using a condom was influenced by clients 69.7%,sex workers 9.1%,and other factors 21.2%.Multivariate analysis showed that educational level and perception of risk of infection were factors for condom use.Clients with a high school education had a higher condom use rate than those with a middle school education or less.Furthermore,clients who perceived risk of disease used condoms more frequently than those who did not.[Conclusion]Clients played a significant role in deciding whether or not to use a condom during commercial sex.Lower education lever,lack of perception of risk are major factors for not using condoms.