AEGiS-15IAC: Alternate income generation for commercial sex workers.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Alternate income generation for commercial sex workers.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10291)

Diggaha Ranawaka C
Institute for Development of Community Strengths, Matara, Sri Lanka

ISSUES: Street based commercial sex workers (CSWs) overcome a series of social, economic and health constraints and spend a life with poor living conditions. Even the clients of these CSWs are not rich enough to pay big money. They belong to the less privileged social group. Lack of knowledge on STI, HIV/AIDS and shyness to visit STI clinics are two major problems. Both these groups are highly vulnerable. According to the STI clinic a few CSWs visit the clinic.

DESCRIPTION: Project has been implemented to provide adequate knowledge on STI, HIV/AIDS, promote frequent visits to the STI clinics and provide training for enterprise development as to select other alternative income generation activities. Project provided two day training for 30 CSWs of Matara town area in southern region of Sri Lanka. 28 CSWs attended the total program, which covered five sessions (sex education) on Reproductive-system, sexual behavior, STI, HIV/AIDS and condom use. Subsequently twelve CSWs were identified for enterprise development training. Intention was to promote them for other enterprises. Six of them started such activities for income generation.

LESSONS LEARNED: Through pre-test results and dialogue with CSWs we found clearly that the knowledge level on STI, HIV/AIDS was very poor. Income generated through sex has been poor and inadequate for living. CSWs very rarely visit STI clinics to receive treatments. We found that any person or organization could design and implement programs for CSWs if the approach is viable. Counseling techniques, friendship, rapport-building process are some of the key components.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Build very strong confidentiality, reliability with CSWs to promote any positive activity. More effective training programs are necessary to reduce spread of STI, HIV/AIDS. Sensitive programs could make behavioral change among the CSWs. Sustainable income generation activities could assist CSWs to change their sex related behaviors.

Keywords: AEGIS, Prostitution, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, Income, Sexual Behavior, HIV Infections, Advertising, Safe Sex, HIV Seropositivity, Sri Lanka, Humans, economics, education, organization & administration

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D10291