Condom use and prevention of HIV/AIDS among commercial sex workers at Marps Network in Mbuya

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Date
2015-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Abstract
This study sought to investigate condom use in the prevention of HIV/AIDS among commercial sex workers and was carried out at MARPS Network in Mbuya, Kampala District. The study was guided by three research objectives; to establish how socio economic characteristics of commercial sex workers affect condom use; to investigate the attitudes and the perceptions of commercial sex workers towards condom use) and to find out the levels of condom use and awareness among commercial sex workers. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 80 respondents in all, including 73 Commercial Sex Workers under MARPs Network, 01 official of Uganda Aids Commission (UAC), 01 official from Ministry of Health in the HIV sector) and 04 Heads of NGQs supporting commercial sex workers (MARP5 Network and WONETHA), using both quantitative and qualitative research methods of data collection, analysis and presentation. The study also reviewed existing documents regarding condom use among commercial sex workers and HIV/AIDS. The study found that social-economic factors had different dimensions in determining the use or none use of condoms for sex among commercial sex workers) like one’s economic activity) type of housing for the commercial sex workers, pressure for rent, level of education and cultural perceptions. The study concluded that that the major factors affecting attitudes and perception of commercial sex workers towards condom use were perceived reduction in sexual pleasure, rigidity of male clients, lack of condoms at a particular time, amount of money offered and the tyke of client. Respondents were more willing to use condoms for the first time with a new or irregular client but as friendship develops with a regular client or steady partner, the urge for using condoms faded with familiarity between partners. The study recommended that government intensifies its social-economic transformation efforts in order to reduce on general poverty levels in the country. This was in light of the fact that poverty and ignorance were leading factors compelling women to take to commercial sex activities. Government should therefore fight poverty through encouraging more free female education, provide reproductive health services in health centers and increase funding of self help projects for all people especially women as well as encouraging free condom distribution to CSWs.
Description
Research report submitted to the college of humanities and social sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of a bachelor’s degree in guidance and counseling of Kampala International University
Keywords
Condom use, Prevention of HIV/AIDS, Commercial sex workers, Uganda
Citation