The Knowledge and Behaviour of Female Sex Workers towardsthe Risk of HIV/AIDS: A Review.

Background: Various strategies and policies have been implemented in order to prevent the transmission of HIV infections. However, the prevention programs are associated with a number of issues and challenges in each country as well. Most of new HIV infections occur through sexual contacts and most of them are commercial sex workers who are a challenging and hard-to-reach population. Therefore, ideas in HIV/AIDS prevention programs, particularly for sex worker groups, should be well-arranged continuously. Methods: Electronic journals and reports were accessed by using Cochrane, BioMed, DOAJ, Proquest, PubMed, Bioline, Taylor & Francis, Google, and Google Scholar. The search strategy was limited to English and published year from the last ten years with the keywords of HIV/AIDS, cognitive-attitude-practice, sex workers, and prevention. The literature review generated 28 articles, with 19 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Results: Generally, financial need is the reason for initiating and maintaining sex work. Most of sex workers knew and were aware of HIV/AIDS, but their needs did not allow any fear and health consciousness, also they did not see any other options outside sex work. Unfortunately, many sex workers reported the inconsistency of condom use. Conclusion: Social, psychological, and environmental-structural factors, such as supports from the establishment owner (employers), manager trainings, peer influences, accessibility of condoms, promotion of condom use, knowledge about condom use, and supports from community health care providers are very necessary to be increased.