Levels of AIDS knowledge and condom use among two groups of female commercial sex workers in Bangladesh.
Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. D11145)
Habib SE Doctoral Student, School of Sociology, University of NSW, Sydney, Australia
The aims of this study were to examine levels of AIDS knowledge and condom practices in a sample of female commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Bangladesh. A total of 284 subjects were questioned about levels of AIDS knowledge using a 12-item AIDS knowledge and patterns of condom use questionnaire. Overall, the subjects had a moderate knowledge of AIDS with 62% of the sample responding correctly to 6 or more of the 12 AIDS knowledge questions. Those with high levels of AIDS knowledge used condoms at a higher rate than those with low levels of AIDS knowledge. The CSWs surveyed were predominantly young and illiterate. Street-based CSWs were at greatest risk for acquiring HIV; many reported less frequent use of condom than brothel-based CSWs. The majority of CSWs surveyed knew that condoms offered protection against HIV/AIDS, although only 11% of CSWs reported using condoms prior to the day of survey. Areas of misconception and confusion were identified regarding modes of transmission and prevention. Effective peer education, free condom distribution and removing structural barriers are necessary to prevent an HIV epidemic.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Condoms, Knowledge, HIV Infections, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Data Collection, Questionnaires, Bangladesh, Interviews, Female
