Condom use among female commercial sex workers and male clients in Hong Kong.

The use of condoms is an aid to protection against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In a one-and-a-half month period in mid-1993, 190 commercial female sex workers and 633 male clients of 8 Social Hygiene Clinics in Hong Kong were interviewed on their practice in condom usage. For both sex workers and clients, 18.5% and 22.8% never and 55.3% and 50.3% seldom used condoms during sexual contacts with paying partners and non-paying partners respectively. The majority (86%) of male clients claimed that they would use a condom if they knew it could reduce risk of contracting HIV and other STD. Condom promotion activities are necessary, particularly for those at higher risk of infection because of their sexual behaviour.