num_pages: 156
description: The book starts with an introduction to sex work as practiced in developing countries, HIV/AIDS and the inter-relation between the two. Then it goes on to a review of literature and sets out the key conceptual framework, bringing out important issues related to HIV/AIDS and the sex trade. These include an inquiry into different aspects of human sexuality, including the possible reasons why males patronise female sex workers. Biological and social explanations, as well as personal preferences that direct men to sex workers are discussed. The legal status of sex work has an important bearing on sex worker behaviour and creating an environment in which behavioural change interventions can be undertaken. This aspect is also reviewed in this section including the consequences of criminalizing sex between consenting adults. It also looks at the global and Sri Lankan situation on HIV/AIDS, populations that are considered more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, the scope of the sex trade in Sri Lanka, reasons why women enter the sex trade, objectification of women and their exploitation, types of institutions they work in and personnel associated with the sex trade are other areas covered in this section. Issues such as stigmatisation, sex worker rights and society's views on sex work are looked into as they have a close relationship with safe sexual behaviour. After a section on methodology used in the study, the book elaborates on its findings such as socio-demographic parameters of sex workers - age, marital status, and number of children, hometowns of sex workers, area of work, employment in other sectors and the number of years in the sex trade. The exploration also looks into certain social and economic factors such as harassment by law enforcement officers and the earnings of sex workers. Information that matter to sex worker health such as awareness on STIs and HIV/AIDS, treatment seeking behaviour, types of sexual activity performed and demanded, frequency of condom use, barriers to the use of condoms, information related to breakage of condoms and group sex are inquired into. Concurrent sexual networks that make bridges among high-risk populations, and between sex workers and the general publics further exacerbate risk and were ascertained in this section. For example a sex worker concurrently being drug users and blood donors. An attempt was also made to see whether there is an increased tendency for alcohol use by clients of sex workers. Finally, recommendations are made for further research and action.
language: English
title: A Study of Sex workers in Sri Lanka: An Example of Using Public Health Methodologies in Behavioral Research
titlecomplete: A Study of Sex workers in Sri Lanka: An Example of Using Public Health Methodologies in Behavioral Research
publisher: Sri Jayawardena