7th International AIDS Conference Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:36 (abstract no. W.D.53)
Sakondhavat C, Werawatakul Y, Bennett A; Department of Ob-Gyn., Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

OBJECTIVE: To test whether brothel managers in Khon Kaen City will adopt and successfuly implement a condom-only policy in their establishments.

METHODS: Brothel workers in Thailand are at high risk of HIV infection but they alone do not have adequate bargaining power to insist on condom use with all clients. Brothel managers, on the other hand, are a source of influence over both clients and their workers and can promote universal condom use in their establishments. All 25 brothel managers in Khon Kaen City attended a meeting on the dangers of HIV and benefits of an all-condom policy. Ideas on how to implement the policy were discussed. Follow-up visits are made once a month to resupply condoms, provide reinforcement and to collect data.

RESULTS: All brothel managers approved of the condom-only in principle and are now implementing the policy. Characteristics of the two managers first successfully adopting the policy will be discussed. Results of the evaluation of condom use and degree of solidarity in the remaining 23 brothels will be available for the VIIth Int'l Conference on AIDS.

DISCUSSION: A condom-only policy in brothels can succeed if managers and brothel workers show solidarity in rejecting all non-condom using clients. Laws to promote condom use may not be needed if brothels are given the opportunity to implement condom-only policy using their own resourcefulness and determination.

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