Knowledge, Perception of Risk for HIV, and Condom Use: A Comparison of Registered and Freelance Female Sex Workers in Cebu City, Philippines

The HIV infection rate is lower in the Philippines than would be expected based on the numbers of people believed to engage in high-risk behaviors. A national behavioral surveillance system has been implemented to monitor selected behaviors among vulnerable populations. This paper reports on an inte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIDS and behavior 2001-12, Vol.5 (4), p.319-330
Main Authors: Amadora-Nolasco, Fiscalina, Alburo, Rene E, Elmira Judy T. Aguilar, Trevathan, Wenda R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIDS
Behavior
Condoms
Females
Freelance
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Knowledge
Massage parlors
Military bases
Philippines
Prostitution
Risk
Risk taking
Sex industry
Sexual Behavior
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sociology
STD
Surveillance
Womens health
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Summary:The HIV infection rate is lower in the Philippines than would be expected based on the numbers of people believed to engage in high-risk behaviors. A national behavioral surveillance system has been implemented to monitor selected behaviors among vulnerable populations. This paper reports on an interview survey of 360 registered and 360 freelance sex workers in Cebu City, the Philippines, from 1997 to 1999. All of the women had engaged in sexual activity in exchange for money during the week preceding the interview. The freelance workers reported more sexual partners than the registered sex workers (p < .00001), assessed themselves as more at risk for HIV (p < .00001), and were less likely to always use condoms during sex (p < .00001). The groups were comparable on a measure of knowledge about HIV transmission. As these women continue to engage in risky behaviors, some form of intervention will be necessary to prevent the escalating HIV/AIDS rates seen in other Southeast Asian countries.
ISSN:1090-7165
1573-3254
DOI:10.1023/A:1013182706030