Awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among female sex workers of Kathmandu, Nepal.
ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem in Nepal. People who engage in unprotected sex with many partners such as Female Sex Workers are especially at high risk. It is a paradox that sex is one of the most common practices we have in our life, yet we still seldom speak directly about...
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
c2011.
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| Online Access: | Visit NHRC Library |
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| Summary: | ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem in Nepal. People who engage in unprotected sex with many partners such as Female Sex Workers are especially at high risk. It is a paradox that sex is one of the most common practices we have in our life, yet we still seldom speak directly about this in our society. It is a subject that is considered to be very personal, secret and confidential. Because of social stigma people have a tendency to hide sex-related diseases. The main objective of the study was to describe the extent of sexual and reproductive health awareness of female sex workers and to identify risk perception and practices to avoid HIV/AIDS. The study was conducted among 35 female sex workers in seven different commercial areas of Kathmandu city. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out. The samples were taken purposively from the selected sites. The data was collected by means of semi structure questionnaire. The study had revealed that the proportion of FSW were higher among the younger age group resulting the mean age of 23.34 years. Most of the respondents (48.57%) were found married followed by unmarried (40%) and separated (11.43%). Regarding the educational level, majority (45.71%) of the respondents had studied secondary level education. Majority of the respondents were Tamang, Sherpa and Thakali, Gurung, Magar, Rai and limbu. Majority of the respondents (45.71%) had said their monthly income was NRs. 3000 to 5000/- per months. Only few percentage of the respondents were said that they had more than NRs. 10,000/- of the monthly income. Most of the respondents (98%) had said that they had herd about HIV/AIDS/STI and the major source of information was TV/radio (91.43%), followed by friends (82.86%). Magazines (60%), and other. Knowledge of the transmissions of HIV/AIDS was also found very good for the majority of the respondents as nearly 89% said having multiple partners was one of the major risks of transmitting HIV/AIDS and nearly 83% of the respondent had knowledge that having unprotected sex leads to HIV/AIDS. Knowledge regarding the ways of prevention of HIV/AIDS, most of the respondents had said that use of condom (94.29%) and avoiding multiple partners (77.14%). Perception of the risks by sex workers showed that majority of them (88.57%) had always at fera of getting HIV/AIDS as they were in risk group as new clients forced for the sex (78%) in unnatural ways. Of the 35 respondents, 97.14% replied that they used condom last time when they had sex with a client and the idea in major cases (85%) by the FSWs themselves. Majority of the respondents replied that they always use condom when they have sex with the client. Only 1 of 35 respondents replied that they sometimes use the condom by buying through pharmacy. Majority (89%) of the respondents replied that they use certain kinds of drugs of which they reported to use alcohol. Among the users, 96% of the respondents replied that they had never forget to use condom because they had drugs and 4 %( 2 of 45) replied that they had not used condom because they had have alcohol. Majority of the respondents (34.29%) were involved in sex work for more than one year to three years with the mean years of 2.9 and practicing different types of sexual activities (62.79%-vaginal sex; 25.58% -oral sex and 11.63% annal sex). The main reason for involvement in sex works were economic (63%), as a means of entertainment, or the imitation of the friends (11.43%). There fore HIV/AIDS programmes need to be more focused on adolescence. As the main motivational factor is group dynamics, peer pressure and sexual experimenting; assertiveness training and discussions of options outside commercial sex work may be feasible approaches to open the way out of sex work for some of them. There is also a need to establish the knowledge, attitude and sexual behavior of the clients related to STD and HIV/AIDS in order to come up with appropriate interventions since many of these have been reported to be averse to using condom. |
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| Item Description: | Thesis Report. |
| Physical Description: | viii, 42p. ; |