Application of fingerprint identification technology in HIV sentinel surveillance among female sex works in Dehong prefecture

Objective To explore the application of fingerprint identification technology in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) surveillance among female sex works (FSWs) in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province.Methods We established an HIV surveillance cohort among FSWs in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province and adopted fingerprint identification technology to follow-up cohort members from 2011 through 2015.Results A total of 6 893 FSWs were surveyed and 76.9% (5 299) of them were followed up with fingerprint identification technology during the period,with the annual follow-up rate of 66.2% (1 015/1 534),78.5% (1 246/1 588),75.2% (1 735/2 308),92.9% (1 885/2 028),and 92.1% (1 243/1 349),respectively.The HIV positive rate was 2.1% (36/1 683) among the FSWs without fingerprint identification and 1.0% (69/7 124) among those with fingerprint identification;the HIV positive rate was 1.4% (55/4 007) among the FSWs having only one fingerprint test and was 0.5% (14/3 117) among those having two fingerprint tests.Conclusion Insiginificantly repeated HIV test could be avoided by using fingerprint identification technology in HIV surveillance among FSWs in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province.