Objective: To investigate the high-risk behaviors related to acquired immune deficiency syndrome/sexually transmitted disease (AIDS/STDs) infection among fishermen in Lü-si harbor, Jiangsu province.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the research participants' demographic characteristics, high-risk behaviors that related to AIDS/STDs. Logistic regression was performed to measure the associations between potential risk factors and reported potential high-risk sexual behavior.
Results: 817 fishermen participated in the study and casual or commercial sex activities appeared to be the main high-risk behavior for AIDS/STDs infection in the target population. The rates of casual and commercial sex reported were 18.1% and 28.9% among fishermen. Risk factors associated with AIDS/STDs related high-risk behaviors among fishermen were high mobility (OR = 1.516, P = 0.038), higher lifetime sex frequency (OR = 1.422, P = 0.002) and unmarried status (OR = 7.527, P = 0.014). Protective factors against high-risk behaviors were low intake of alcohol (OR = 0.803, P = 0.053), negative STD history (OR = 0.268, P = 0.001), age of initial sexual intercourse at or older than 22 years (OR = 0.440, P = 0.000) of age, as well as negative attitude toward multiple sexual partners (OR = 0.662, P = 0.023) and legitimation for commercial sex (OR = 0.612, P = 0.007).
Conclusion: There were risk behaviors of AIDS/STDs in those infected fishmen. Casual and commercial sex were common high-risk behaviors.