STD/AIDS knowledge and risk behaviour among masseuses and bar hostesses in Singapore

Sex workers are not confined to brothels, they also include a variety of individuals who practise part-time in establishments conductive to sexual liaisons. We undertook to study the extent of sex work among masseuses and nightclub hostesses and the level of AIDS and STD knowledge in these 2 groups. The studies were conducted in 1993 and 1996. Altogether 1244 masseuses and 746 hostesses attended educational sessions at the STD clinic, during which they were also surveyed for knowledge on AIDS and STDs, and practices which may put them at risk of infection; they were also offered tests for HIV and syphilis. Knowledge on AIDS transmission was good, knowledge of other aspects of AIDS and STDs was not. Sexual activities resulting from the conduct of their work was practised by only a minority of masseuses (13.5%) and hostesses (7.9%). Among those who engaged in sexual activities at work, masseuses practised safe sex more commonly than hostesses (83.5% vs 27.6%). The prevalence of HIV (0.175% in hostesses, 0% in masseuses) and syphilis (0.87% in hostesses and 1.7% in masseuses) was very low in both groups.