AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #56 - Safe sex practice among brothel based commercial sex workers in Bangladesh
Authors: Presenting Author: Ms Mahruba Khanam - Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control & Research (IEDCR)
Additional Authors:
Aim: Though HIV infection is low in Bangladesh, all the possible risk factors for a rapid spread of the virus are present in and around the country. Prevention Programs in Bangladesh have long been underway with high-risk groups with an aim to limit its spread in the general population without discriminating and stigmatizing the high-risk groups. The aim of the study is to scrutinize the level of sensitization towards practicing safe sex by the commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Bangladesh.
Method / Issue: Interviews, pre-tested questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with brothel-based CSWs were employed to light up determinants of safe sex practice among the respondents.
Results / Comments: Data from nine hundred and eight cases were used in the analysis. The majority of the sex workers were young (average age 24), poorly educated (80% never attended school) and had low income. Over one fifth of the respondents participated in the HIV prevention program and a large proportion of the sex workers did not have a good sense of self-esteem or perceived future. Just over half of the sex workers perceived that they were at risk of HIV/AIDS. About one-third of the sex workers did not have any knowledge about how HIV is transmitted and only one-fifth of the respondents used a condom with their last client.
Discussion: The HIV/AIDS prevention programs could be more effective if it takes on empowerment of the CSWs with respect to their earning and education that effectively bring about changes in their perception on HIV/AIDS and practice for safe sex.
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