Publication:

A study on epidemiological determinants and reproductive health practices among female commercial sex workers of Dharwad district

Background Prostitution is linked with many socio-demographic disadvantages like minority status, low income and education level, frequent harassment by family and police and social stigma.

Methods It’s a cross-sectional study, done among female commercial sex workers. A sample of 100 women was chosen conveniently, for a study period of 2 months i.e. May and June 2015. The women were one-one interviewed in depth by a semi-structured questionnaire, finalized after Pilot testing. The data was entered into MS Excel, analysed using SPSS v 20.0 and data was presented as means and percentages.

Results 48% of the study sample belonged to the age group of 30-39. 50% of the study samples were involved in home based sex trade, 6% in brothel and 8% in public streets. All of them reported some sort of STI symptom, 39% reported burning micturition, itching and genital sores and 28% reported excessive white discharge. Regarding violence and harassment, 65% faced domestic violence at home, 37% experienced sexual violence like beatings, burning of private parts and forcible sex without payment. 31% had experienced harassment by unnatural sex.

Conclusions Poverty was cited as the most common reason for getting into this trade with half of their families being unaware of it and for a very meagre pay. Removal of social stigma can help in rehabilitating these women back into the society.