A Randomized Controlled Trial of an HIV Prevention Intervention for Street-Based Female Sex Workers in Yerevan, Armenia: Preliminary Evidence of Efficacy

This study evaluated the efficacy of an HIV intervention among female sex workers (FSWs) randomized to an intervention or wait-list control. FSWs (N = 120) completed baseline, 3- and 6-month assessments. A health educator implemented 2-hour intervention emphasized gender-empowerment, self-efficacy to persuade clients to use condoms, condom application skills, and eroticizing safer sex. Over the 6-month follow-up, FSWs in the intervention reported more consistent condom use with clients (P = .004) and were more likely to apply condoms on clients (P = .0001). Intervention effects were observed for other psychosocial mediators of safer sex. Brief, gender and culturally congruent interventions can enhance HIV-preventive behaviors among FSWs.