       Document 0059
 DOCN  M9620059
 TI    Reducing the risk of HIV infection among South African sex workers:
       socioeconomic and gender barriers [see comments]
 DT    9602
 AU    Karim QA; Karim SS; Soldan K; Zondi M; Centre for Epidemiological
       Research in South Africa (CERSA),; South African Medical Research
       Council, Durban, South Africa.
 SO    Am J Public Health. 1995 Nov;85(11):1521-5. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96036581
 CM    Comment in: Am J Public Health 1995 Nov;85(11):1485-8
 AB    OBJECTIVES. The social context within which women engaged in sex work at
       a popular truck stop in South Africa are placed at risk of human
       immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the factors that influence
       their ability to reduce their risk were assessed. METHODS. Using
       qualitative and quantitative techniques, an elected sex worker from
       within the group collected all data. RESULTS. Given the various pressing
       needs for basic survival, the risk of HIV infection is viewed as one
       more burden imposed on these women by their lack of social, legal, and
       economic power. Violence, or the threat thereof, plays an important role
       in their disempowerment. In the few instances in which sex workers were
       able to insist on condom use, it resulted in a decrease in earnings,
       loss of clients, and physical abuse. CONCLUSIONS. Recommendations to
       reduce the sex workers' risk for HIV infection include negotiation and
       communication skills to enable them to persuade their clients to use
       condoms; development of strategies through which they can maximally use
       their group strength to facilitate unified action; and accessibility of
       protective methods they can use and control, such as intravaginal
       microbicides.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Attitude to Health  Condoms/UTILIZATION  Female
       Human  HIV Infections/ETIOLOGY/*PREVENTION & CONTROL  Knowledge,
       Attitudes, Practice  Male  Middle Age
       *Prostitution/ETHNOLOGY/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  Questionnaires  Risk
       Factors  Sex Factors  Socioeconomic Factors  South Africa  Support,
       Non-U.S. Gov't  Violence  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

