Health Vulnerability of Commercial Sex Workers and their Risky Sexual Behaviors: Results of the Nationally Survey of South Korea, 2008-2009

The STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) has consistently become a domain of public health administration due to its high prevalence in the vulnerable population. The WHO estimated that 340 million new cases of STIs had occurred throughout the world in 1999 in men and women aged 15-49 years old. However, there is barely any data available that reveals the health weakness and the prevalence within these marginalized groups. In particular, the Korean government had difficulty in identifying the basic prevalence and health status of the industrialized CSWs (Commercial Sex Workers). The proposed study is to identify collective health problems and to articulate which risky health behaviors can lead to STIs in the sexually susceptible population. The National CSWs Survey Data was used by the Korea Federation for HIV/AIDS Prevention (N=1,100). The data was collected as followed: After receiving the informed consent with attendance of a civil witness to prove the appropriateness of the survey process, skillful interviewers facilitated CSWs to answer the questionnaire on the sexual behaviors, while laboratory technicians obtained urine, oropharyngeal swab and blood samples. Samples are tested for HIV, gonorrhea, pallidum, and trachomatis. According to this study, it is necessary to develop cooperation between the governmental sectors, and to have participation of related academic associations and advocacy groups to progress in effective STIs control. Many STIs are treatable, but effective cures are lacking. Thus, we should attempt to intervene in CSW groups by establishing effective commercial sex surveillance in order to protect both CSW's and the population's health.