An Investigation on Female Sexual Workers (FSWs) Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards HIV/AIDS in Makassar, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: In Indonesia, HIV/AIDS is still a public health problem and approximately 620.000 people living with HIV/AIDS in this country. Female sexual workers (FSWs) as one of the groups in HIV cases are more ten times more likely to acquire HIV than the general population. This study aimed to find out the description of the knowledge, attitudes and practice of FSWs in Makassar about HIV/AIDS. Methods: This was observational research by using a descriptive approach. There were 255 FSWs recruited as respondents chosen by stratified random sampling. An Interviewer-administered questionnaire was designed to collect data about knowledge, attitude and practice on HIV/AIDS. Results: Overall, more 50% of respondents could provide the correct answers about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. One of the preventions that have not been known by most of them was blade and shaver sharing. Concerning attitude, most respondents had a positive attitude towards HIV / AIDS, but there were still 38.0% who agreed not to make friends with HIV patients and 28.2% respondents agreed not to offer condoms to clients who seem healthy. The condom offer was higher than condom use for clients that is 60.0% and 54.1% respectively. Conclusion: more than 50% of respondents could provide correct answers about basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS and more than 50% FSWs had a positive attitude. AIDS eradication commission of Makassar needs to provide any information on HIV/AIDS not only for FSWs but also for clients.