Sinha MM; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. WePeD6390.
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, United States
Background: Major studies on HIV infection among Indian sex workers are generally confined to large cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi. This study examines HIV infection among sex workers in two small towns of northeast India. A typology of three levels of causation of HIV infection has been identified: structural, environmental and individual. Structural factors include economic underdevelopment, sexism, poverty, homophobia, unregulated commercial sex, and lack of human rights. Environmental factors include migration, urbanization, slums, isolation from families, and poor availability of health and social services. Individual factors include awareness, knowledge, sexual behavior, condom use, and perceived locus of control. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 110 female sex workers in Gaya and Muzaffarpur. The questionnaire addressed three specific variables - awareness, knowlege, and sexual behavior - and how they are affected by sructural and environmental factors. In addition, an in-depth interview was conducted so that an individual's hidden beliefs and actions - such as health and sexuality - which are influenced by specific culture can be clarified. Apart from simple frequencies and cross-tabulations, the method adopted here was logistic regression analysis. All variables making a significant contribution (P<0.05) in explaining variation in the outcome measure were identified and reported. Results: Although awareness of AIDS among sex workers is high, knowledge of actual routes of transmission (sexual, mothers-to-babies,etc.) as well as accuracy levels through casual routes were poor. The number of casual partners and overall level of casual sex led to enhanced HIV transmission if condoms were not consistently used. Conclusion The success of any prevention model will depend on developing effective strategies to minimize women's struggles against structural and environmental forces that render them vulnerable.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Behavior
- Condoms
- Culture
- Developing Countries
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Humans
- India
- Infant
- Knowledge
- Prostitution
- Questionnaires
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexuality
Other ID:
UI: 102284305
From Meeting Abstracts