Oral

Commercial sex workers and their clients are at an increased risk for HIV/AIDS. However, few studies have been conducted that examine this population. In this session, participants will gain a better understanding of the sexual behaviors and correlates of risky sexual behavior among commercial sex workers and their partners in different contexts. In the first presentation, the focus is on improving our understanding of male customers’ HIV risk behaviors and attitudes at massage parlors. The focus of the second presentation is the efficacy of a theory-based intervention in promoting safer sex behaviors among Filipina commercial sex workers. Similarly, in presentation three, the presenter will describe factors that promote or inhibit safer sex behaviors among commercial sex workers. In addition, the presenter will describe the impact of substance use, mental health illness, and social dysfunction for this segment of the population. The emphasis of the fourth presentation is to provide information about developing a scale to measure STI/HIV vulnerability among young male clients of commercial sex workers in India. In addition, the presenter will describe potential STI/HIV preventive strategies for these young men.

Session Objectives: Discuss HIV risk behaviors among male and female commercial sex workers and their partners. 2. Evaluate the efficacy of behavior change interventions that target commercial sex workers. 3. Recognize the sexual risk behaviors among male customers of massage parlors.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing