Behavioral risk practices among female sex workers in Kathmandu Valley.

Thesis Report.

SUMMARY: Nepal's HIV/AIDS epidemic is concentrated among most-at-risk populations (MARPs) of which FSWs accounts for 2%. The main aim of this research is to study the behavioral risk practices among the Female Sex Workers in Kathmandu Valley. This is a quantitative study which was conducted among the 50 FSWs by applying snow-ball sampling method and the data was collected by face to face interview. Nearly half of the FSWs (46%) were found in between the age group of 20-25 years. Exactly 50% of them were unmarried. 14% of the FSWs were working in this profession for 3-5 years. 30% of the FSWs were college students. 30% of the FSWs were housewives before entering in this profession. Among the 50 FSWs, 34% had their first sex in between the age of 14-16 years. 50% of the clients always use condom during sexual intercourse while still 50% of the clients were irregular in using condom during sexual intercourse. 22.58% of their clients refuse to use condom. Majority of the FSWs (72%) had sex without condom. 26% of the FSWs were physically abused. Similarly 22% of them were verbally abused and 32% of them economically abused. The data shows that the college students and other new and young girls are entering in this profession. Still 28.57% of FSWs had sex even their client refuse to use condom during sex and also the consistency of condom use is not quite satisfactory. Use of condom should be promoted in every sexual intercourse and demonstration program on the proper use condom should be conducted.