Ford N, Koetsawang S; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: D492 (abstract no. PoD 5622).
Institute of Population Studies, University of Exeter, U.K.
OBJECTIVES: To assess levels of condom use by commercial sex workers (CSWs) in a massage parlour in Bangkok. To identify the psycho-social factors which influence the CSWs use of condoms. To produce recommendations for the development of an IEC intervention designed to increase condom use in the commercial sex industry. METHODS: All data collection undertaken within a single large massage parlour in Bangkok. 3 focus group discussions (Selected by age range). Schedule-structured interview survey (156 masseuse randomly selected from massage parlour list) focusing principally upon sexual practices and level of condom use, communication issues surrounding condom use, types of customers (details of 468 customer contacts) and HIV/AIDs awareness. Includes blood testing for HIV under strict confidentiality. RESULTS: All of the masseuse believed condom use had increased dramatically in the last three years. Of the CSWs' last three acts of intercourse with customers 8% took place without condoms, 29% had engaged in intercourse without condoms in the last week (13% on two or more occasions). Out of 36 (out of 446 cases of intercourse--last three customers) recorded cases of customers not wishing to use condoms, there were only two instances of CSWs persuading them to use condoms. 42% of masseuse feel they have no choice but to agree to intercourse with customers without condoms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings reinforce the need for a '100% condom use policy' in the massage parlour (and wider sex industry) with explicit recognition of CSWs right/duty to refuse intercourse without a condom. A multi-faceted intervention programme is proposed which also includes informational and persuasion skills development components.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Coitus
- Condoms
- Condoms, Female
- Data Collection
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Interviews as Topic
- Prostitution
- Safe Sex
Other ID:
UI: 102200810
From Meeting Abstracts