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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Robert W. Buckingham, Dr PH¹, J. Moraros, MD, MPH¹, S. Prapasiri, BS², and N. Hempstead, BS². (1) Department of Health Sciences, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001, 505-646-8138, buck@nmsu.edu, (2) College of Health and Social Services, New Mexico State University, 1335 International Mall, PO Box 30001, Office of the Dean, MSC 3446, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

This study sought to determine accurate level of condom usage by female sex workers (FSW) in brothels throughout Thailand. Specifically, the study sought to deferenciate the influences that the country of origin of the FSW patrons exhibited on condom-usage by their clients, thereby assessing the relevancy of constructs set by the Health Belief Model in predicting FSW requesting condom usage by their clients. A cross-sectional non-randomized convenience sample of 150 FSW in four geographic locations in Thailand. Statistical interpretation of the data indicated that Thai FSW requested patron-condom use in 63% of all cases, while actual compliance of condom-use was only 51%. Condom use by patron-country of origin was drastically different due to the FSW belief that native Thai men posed no threat to infection with HIV/AIDS. Condom use among westerner's was 76%, foreign Asians 52%, and only 27% for native Thai men. These results fell considerably short of the Thai Ministry of Health's goal of 100% condom use within Thai brothels, thus public health education initiatios must effectively target the native Thai FSW patrons to increase condom usage.

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate the manner in which female sex workers treat native and non-native patrons.
• Understand the underlying cultural stigmas associated with condom-usage in the Thai and non-Thai cultures under investigation.
• Develop a healthcare policy and health education campaign that will ensure the inclusion of all female sex workers in an effort to improve condom utilization within Thailand.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Sex Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered