IJCRR - 7(23), December, 2015
Pages: 40-46
PREVALENCE OF CONDOM USE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN
Author: Atif M., Khalil R., GulS, Bilal B.
Category: Healthcare
[Download PDF]
Abstract:
As they have multiple sex partners, female sex workers are at a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus. Consistent and correct use of male condoms can reduce this risk. However, condom use among female sex workers is a complicated issue.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the revalence of condom use and to evaluate the factors associated with its use among female sex workers in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methodology: A mixed method study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. Quantitative data were collected from 200 female sex workers (FSWs) through a structured questionnaire, while Qualitative methods comprised40 in-depth interviews of every 5th female sex worker participating in the cross sectional survey, and Focus-group discussions. The information on socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of condom use, factors associated with use of condoms, knowledge and awareness about STIs and HIV/AIDS was gathered. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18 and frequencies with percentages were calculated for all qualitative variables.
Results: Average age of the participants was 27.9 ± 6.5 years. More than one third had no formal education with 85% reporting a monthly income of more than 8000 PKR[Mean; 16615 ± 10867 PKR]. Nearly half (52%) had spent 4 or fewer years in sex work. The average number of clients per day was 3 ± 1.5 per sex worker. FSWs attached to a brothel were 6 times more likely to use acondom in comparison with street based FSWs. Whereas, FSWs aged younger than 35 years were 2.7 times more likely to use a condom in comparison to older FSWs. Factors found to be associated with not using a condom included being in the sex work for more than 05 years, having sex with non-paying partners, alcohol use, non-availability of condoms, not being associated with a service delivery program and lack of knowledge that condoms can protect against HIV.
Conclusion: The study revealed that the prevalence of condom use among female sex workers was low. FSW’s lack of negotiating power for condom use was a major reason for its non-use. Other factors associated with not using condoms included not being attached to a brothel, being over 35 years old, more than 05 years in sex work, having sex with nonpaying partners, use of alcohol, unavailability of condoms, no exposure to a service delivery program and no knowledge about condom being protective against HIV.
Keywords: Condom use, Female sex workers, Commercial sex workers
Citation:
Atif M., Khalil R., GulS, Bilal B.. PREVALENCE OF CONDOM USE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN International Journal of Current Research and Review. 7(23), December, 40-46
References:
1. Shannon, K, Strathdee, SA, Goldenberg, SM et al. Global epidemiology of HIV among female sex workers: influence of structural determinants. Lancet. 2014.
2. WHO. HIV/AIDS. Factsheet No. 360. 2015. Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/ en/
3. Women and HIV/AIDS: Confronting the Crisis. Geneva, Switzerland and New York, NY: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, United Nations Population Fund, and United Nations Development Fund for Women; 2004.
4. UNAIDS. The public health approach to STD control. UNAIDS Best Practice Collection. Technical Update. May, 1998.
5. Richard A. Crosby et al. Associations Between Sexually Transmitted Disease Diagnosis and Subsequent Sexual Risk and Sexually Transmitted Disease Incidence Among Adolescents. Sexually Transmitted Diseases , Vol. 31, No. 4, p.205–208. April 2004.
6. Fitch J Thomas et al. Condom Effectiveness: Factors That Influence Risk Reduction. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Vol. 29. No. 12, p.811-817. December 2002.
7. Pinkerton SD. Abramson PR. Effectiveness of condoms in preventing HIV transmission. Social Science and Medicine. 44(9):1303-12, 1997 May.
8. Holmes KK, Levine R, Weaver M. Effectiveness of condoms in preventing sexually transmitted infections. Bull World Health Organ 2004;82:454-461.
9. CDC (2006). Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 55(RR-11).
10. Steiner, Cates, and Warner (1999). The real problem with male condoms is non-use. Sex Transm Dis, 26(8): 459-62.
11. Warner, Stone, Macaluso, Buehler, and Austin (2006). Condom use and risk of gonorrhea and Chlamydia: A systematic review of design and measurement factors assessed in epidemiologic studies. Sex Transm Dis, 33(1): 36-51.
12. Weller and Davis (2001). Condom effectiveness in reducing heterosexual HIV transmission. Cochrane Database Syst Rev; 3:CD003255.
13. UNFPA, WHO and UNAIDS: Position statement on condoms and the prevention of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. 2015; Available at: http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2015/july/20150702_condoms_prevention
14. M Laga, M Alary, F Behets, J Goeman, Prof P Piot,N Nzila, A.T Manoka, M Tuliza, M St Louis, Condom promotion, sexually transmitted diseases treatment, and declining incidence of HIV-1 infection in female Zairian sex workers, Volume 344, No. 8917, p246–248, 23 July 1994. Retrieved from: http://www.thelancet. com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(94)93005-8/abstract
15. Emmanuel F, Thompson LH, Athar U, et al. The organization, operational dynamics and structure of female sex work in Pakistan. Sex Transm Infect. 2013;89(Suppl 2):ii29–ii33.
16. Mishra, S, Thompson, LH, Sonia, A, Khalid, N, Emmanuel, F, and Blanchard, JF. Sexual behaviour, structural vulnerabilities and HIV prevalence among female sex workers in Pakistan. Sex Transm Infect. 2013; 89: ii34–ii42.
17. WHO. STI/HIV.Sex work inAsia. 2001; Available at: http:// www.who.int/hiv/topics/vct/sw_toolkit/sex_work_asia.pdf
18. Matovu JKB, Ssebadduka BN. Knowledge, Attitudes and Barriers to Condom Use among Female Sex Workers and Truck Drivers in Uganda: a Mixed-Methods Study. Afr Health Sci. 2013;13(4):1027–1033.
19. Masresha Molla Tamene, Gizachew Assefa Tessema, Getahun Kebede Beyera. Condom utilization and sexual behavior of female sex workers in Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2015;21:50.
20. Family Health International (2001). What drives HIV in Asia? A summary of trends in sexual and drug-taking behaviours. Arlington: Family Health International.
21. Deering, KN, Boily, MC, Lowndes, CM et al. A dose-response relationship between exposure to a large-scale HIV preventive intervention and consistent condom use with different sexual partners of female sex workers in southern India. BMC Public Health. 2011; 11: S8
22. Hemalatha R, Kumar RH, Venkaiah K, Srinivasan K, Brahmam G. Prevalence of and knowledge, attitude and practices towards HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Andhra Pradesh. The Indian journal of medical research. 2011;134(4):470.
23. Bui TC, Markham CM, Tran LT, Beasley RP, Ross MW. Condom negotiation and use among female sex workers in PhnomPenh, Cambodia. AIDS and behavior. 2013;17(2):612-622.
24. Jie W, Xiaolan Z, Ciyong L, Moyer E, Hui W, Lingyao H, et al. (2012) A Qualitative Exploration of Barriers to Condom Use among Female Sex Workers in China. PLoS ONE 7(10): e46786. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0046786
25. Kayembe PK, Mapatano MA, Busangu AF, et al. Determinants of consistent condom use among female commercial sex workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo: implications for interventions. Sex Transm Infect 2008;84:202–6.
26. Ghimire L, Smith WC, van Teijlingen ER, Dahal R, Luitel NP (2011) Reasons for non- use of condoms and self- efficacy among female sex workers: a qualitative study in Nepal. BMC Womens Health 26 11: 42.doi: 10.1186/1472-6874-11-42.
27. Pattern of condom use and perceived risk of HIV infection among female sex workers in selected Brothels in Ogun State, Nigeria Adeneye A.K.1, Adeneye A.A.2, Mafe M.A.1, Adeiga A.A.3 Int. J. Public Health Epidemiol. 2013; Vol 2(5); pp. 090- 100.
28. Larios SE, Lozada R, Semple SJ, Roesch S, Orozovich P, Fraga M, et al. An exploration of contextual factors that influence HIV risk in female sex workers in México: the Social Ecological Model applied to HIV risk behaviors. AIDS care. 2009;21(10):1335– 1342.
29. Alam N, Chowdhury ME, Mridha MK, Ahmed A, Reichenbach LJ, et al. (2013) Factors associated with condom use negotiation by female sex workers in Bangladesh. Int J STD AIDS 24:813.
30. Nemoto T, Iwamoto M, Colby D, et al. HIV-related risk behaviors among female sex workers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. AIDS Educ Prev. 2008;20:435–453.
|