IMPACT OF A HEALTH PROMOTION AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION (STI) PREVENTION PROGRAMME FOR ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS (EES) IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

We aimed to assess the efficacy of a multicomponent intervention on condom use and sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in female entertainment workers and heterosexual men patronising entertainment establishments (EEs), using a quasi-experimental pre- and post-test intervention trial. Joo Chiat and Beach Road were selected purposively as comparison cluster sites (n=220) with follow-up of female entertainment workers at 6 weeks. The same sites were used as intervention sites after a 3-month interval period. Self-reported condom use, vaginal swab samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cervical gonorrhoea and chlamydia infections, and throat swabs for culture of pharyngeal gonorrhoea were assessed. Clark Quay was the intervention venue for the heterosexual men while Tanjong Pagar was the equivalent comparison site. Using time location sampling, cross-sectional samples of men patronising these establishments were assessed on self-reported condom use at baseline (n=604) and at 6 months post-intervention (n=360) in both intervention and comparison groups.