Devising a female sex work typology using data from Karnataka, India
Raluca Buzdugan1, Andrew Copas, Stephen Moses
1Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK. a.buzdugan@ucl.ac.uk
International Journal of Epidemiology
|December 10, 2009
Summary
A new sex work typology reveals that street-based sex workers who lodge in rented accommodations face the highest human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) risks in Karnataka.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Existing typologies for sex work may not adequately capture human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk variations.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for targeted HIV/STI prevention among female sex workers (FSWs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if an existing sex work typology reflects HIV risk in Karnataka.
- To propose a systematic, evidence-based approach for developing effective sex work typologies.
Main Methods:
- A four-stage approach was used: identifying solicitation and sex locations, constructing typologies, analyzing risk indicators (HIV/STI prevalence, client volume), and selecting the simplest effective typology.
- Data from 2312 FSWs in Karnataka, India, were analyzed using logistic and linear regression to predict HIV/STI status and client volume.
Main Results:
- The most fitting typology included categories like 'brothel to brothel,' 'home to home,' and 'street to lodge.'
- 'Street to lodge' FSWs exhibited high HIV (30%) and STI (27%) prevalence.
- 'Brothel to brothel' FSWs also showed significant prevalence (34% HIV, 13% STI).
Conclusions:
- The developed typology highlights 'street to lodge' FSWs as a high-risk group.
- This risk was previously underestimated by typologies focusing solely on solicitation location.
- Evidence-based typologies are essential for accurate risk assessment and intervention planning.
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