Work

Knowledge of HIV and Condom Use Practices among Female Sex Workers in West Bengal: Revisiting 2020 Behavioral Surveillance Surveys

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Female sex workers (FSWs) constitute a significant portion of high-risk groups (HRGs) in the districts of West Bengal, as indicated by HRG size mapping exercises. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and condom usage practices among FSWs in clusters selected from districts in West Bengal for behavioural surveillance surveys (BSS)-lite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BSS-lite was implemented in designated districts of West Bengal and interviews with 399 brothel and street-based FSWs from January to March 2020 were conducted utilizing computer-assisted personal interview or audio-computer assisted self-interview. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, version 17. Chi-square testing was employed to examine the association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and sociodemographic factors, service utilization, and condom usage behaviors. RESULTS: The mean age of FSW respondents was 31 years (standard deviation 7.9) with a majority being illiterate (48.4%). Approximately 50.5% of FSWs were separated or divorced, and for 87.2% of respondents, sex work constituted their primary occupation. The percentage of comprehensive knowledge was 12.8%. There was a significant association ( P < 0.01) between condom use in the last sex act with frequency of condom use with commercial partner and condom use with regular partner. CONCLUSION: Enhanced interventions are warranted to address the knowledge gap concerning HIV transmission and condom use practices among FSWs, particularly with respect to regular partners.

Source: Indian Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1088_24