A study of Hiv/STD infections amongst commercial sex workers in Kolkata (India). Part-II: sexual behaviour, knowledge and attitude towards STD/HIV infections.

ABSTRACT

The sexual behaviour, knowledge, attitude and practice for prevention and control measures against STD/HIV are discussed in this paper. In all 867 sex workers, belonging to different red light areas of Kolkata viz. Sonagachi 77.28% (670), Metiabruz 14.07% (122) and 8.65% (75) from Rampurgali, Khidderpore and Bow Bazar were studied. Majority of sex workers 74.28% (644) were under thirty years of age. Around 22.26% (193) were within 20 years and 5.85%(51) were above 40 years of age. Sex workers had more than one habit but commonest were betel nut chewing in 67.59%(586) and alcohol consumption either alone or with the clients in 61.1% (529). Drug abuse (IVD) was not agreed to by any of the sex workers. Around 78.09% (677) were in the trade for last ten years, and 21.91%(190) for more than ten years. The mean duration for which sex workers remain in the trade is 6.71 years. The average number of clients visiting them were 2.67 per sex workers per day. The commonest sexual practice was normal peno-vaginal in 94.1 % (823). Peno-oral sex is practiced by 32.5%(282) sex workers, of which 2.65 % (23) always, 2.31%(20) often and 27.0%(59) sometimes practiced it. Peno-rectal sex was practiced by 5.42% (47), with 2.31% (20) often and 3.11% (27) sometimes. Around 13.96% (121) sex workers participate in the group sex. The knowledge of STD/HIV infection was quite low, 49.48% (429) of CSWs had heard about STD/HIV/AIDS and around 49.6% (430) knew that STD/HIV could be prevented by condom use.