Epress.am News from Armenia
Researchers in Atlanta conducted a cross-sectional study on “predictors of condom errors among sex workers in Armenia” (published in the International Journal of STD & AIDS) and found that errors in condom use are prevalent among this population in Armenia.
The study looked at condom-use errors among female sex workers (FSWs) in Armenia.
According to the abstract: “One hundred and seventeen street-based FSWs aged 20–52 years completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Condom-use errors were reported by 78.0% of participants. Number of clients, higher frequency of condom application on clients by FSWs, greater perceived barriers to condom use, elevated depressive symptomatology and having sex while drinking alcohol were significantly associated with higher number of condom-use errors.”
Researchers concluded that the prevalence of condom-use errors weakened “the intended protective effects of condoms” and urged work with female sex workers to specifically address the factors identified in this study “toward the goal of reducing condom errors and ultimately preventing acquisition of STIs including HIV.”