| Macroeconomic is growing very fast with the development of economic reform and marketing progress in China. Self-employed merchants have become an important population. Previous research data showed that this population was vulnerable to gambling, drug and commercial sexual services because they were in relatively good economic status and had complex social contexts. This population was one of the high risk groups of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases associated with high risk sexual behaviors. Therefore, it becomes very necessary to develop a comprehensive intervention approach including health education, risk behavior changing, consultation and HIV/AIDS lab-test.ObjectsThe aim of this study was to find out scientific evidences to develop intervention strategies for target population by assessing their population status, HIV infection prevalence, high risk behaviors and contextual influence of high risk behaviors.MethodsThis study was based on the information, motivation and behavioral skills mode. Literature were referenced to understand information on HIV/AIDS epidemiology, health education and intervention.1189 self-employed merchants were recuited through multi-stage cluster sampling in the study. Questionnaires were administered to collect the information on knowledge, attitude and behavior of HIV/AIDS. Anti-HIV antibodies of 787 individuals were tested by using ELISA and Western Blot kits. Descriptive analysis method and multifactor analysis methods were employed to compare the information, attitude and behavior characters of sub-groups with different population status in self-emplyed population.Results91.17% of target population (sample=1189) has had sexual experiences. The average age was 36.03±9.70 years. More than half (56.27%) of them were local residents while others were migrants who settled in this area over one year. The majority of them was females (73.51%).40.05% and 37.93% females comleted their educations in junior and senior high schools, respectively.Although the awareness rate for general HIV/AIDS konwledge was higher (86.34%), the rate for non-transmission route and the cognition for self-protection were lower. The situation became worse in migrants and in population with lower educational level.77.21% accepted multiple sexual parterners and thought that they could not be infected with HIV while other 21.62% rejected muti-sexual partners. 7.93% of self-employed merchants had temporary sexual experience in the past one year.13.65% males had had sexual intercourses with commercial sexual workers. Four persons shared needles with other drug users. Five had had anal intercourses. Only 10.79% of study population had used condoms during sexual intercourses.2 out of 787 were HIV positive.Conclusion1. Majority of the study population were in the sex active stage of life. The population status including the living status and educational level decide that health education strategies should focus on the change of sexual cognition and providing sexual health cares. The population status must be taken into consideration when developing the intervention activities.2. Unmarried younger population with lower educational level and the migrants should be considered as the major targets concerning the HIV/AIDS prevention education. The education should focus on the improvement of the awareness of the non-transmission route and self-protection skills. Tailored interventions were the needs and preferences for the target population. The improvement of self-esteem and the advocate of social norm, such as social and family responsibilities, are helpful for the development of individual health behaviors. The governmental advocation and supportive environment development were also crucial in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS among this target population. |
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