155117 Condom Utilization among Minor-Aged Female Sex Workers in Thailand

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Kiran Sapkota, MS , Department of Health Science, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
John Moraros, MD, PhD, MPH, CHES , Department of Health Sciences, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Yelena Bird, MD, MPH , Department of Health Sciences, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Surasri Prapasiri, BS , College of Health and Social Services, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Sasha King, BA , Department of Health Sciences, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Purpose: This study was conducted to achieve a two prong objective: (a) to gather data and research the condom utilization among minor-aged (< 18 years old) FSW in Thailand brothels, and (b) to provide new and existing condom promotion programs with the pertinent information necessary to meaningfully improve their performance.

Methods: The present study surveyed 130 minor-aged FSW from brothels in four geographic areas of Thailand, including: Bangkok, Chang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and small villages. The questionnaire examined three categories of interest: (1) FSW socio-demographics, (2) occupational related characteristics, and (3) STD & HIV/AIDS related behavioral information.

Results: The mean age of the minor-aged FSW was 15.7 years old. The minor-aged FSW surveyed had on average 2.8 years of working experience. They requested condom use in 52% of the cases, while their overall mean condom use was only 39%. They averaged 7.4 customers a day but only used 3.8 condoms per day. Condom use by patrons' country of origin was as follows: Westerners 70%, Foreign Asians 48%, and native Thai men 19%.

Conclusion: Condom mean use among minor-aged FSW is considerably lower than their number of clients seen per day. Consequently, public health efforts in Thailand need to concentrate on this most ‘desirable' and yet vulnerable segment of the FSW population, if they are to successfully continue to decrease their STD and HIV/AIDS incidence rates.

Learning Objectives:
• Explain the multiple factors that make minor FSW’s more vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS. •Identify occupational and sociocultural factors related to condom utilization among minor FSW’s in Thailand.

Keywords: International Health, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: HIV Risk Behaviors, Mental Health, and Substance/Drug Use Issues among Diverse Populations
See more of: HIV/AIDS