Understanding the Factors Associated with Alcohol Use among Female Sex Workers in a High HIV Prevalence Northeast State of India

Abstract

Background: The paper illustrates the factors associated with alcohol use among FSWs in Dimapur, an important commercial hub of Nagaland, which is a high HIV prevalence state of India. Methods:The analysis is based on 417 FSWs aged 18 years or older who participated in round 2 of Integrated Behavioural and Biological Assessment (IBBA). Results:There is a significant association between ever consumption of alcohol use in the past month among FSWs and socio-demographic, sexual behaviour and safe sexual practices (p<0.05). Binary logistic regression of Alcohol use among FSWs found that greater than 25 years of FSWs (2.2 times, P ≤ 0.10), Divorced/ Separated (0.41 times, p ≤ 0.10), >10th standard of education (0.311 times, p ≤ 0.001), drug use (5 times, p ≤ 0.001), sharing of injecting drugs with the partner ( 3.7 times, p ≤ 0.001) were independently associated with Alcohol use respectively .Those FSWs have first sex and first started sex work at age 15-20 years were 6.3 (p ≤ 0.05) and 2.4 (p ≤ 0.05) times more likely to use alcohol . One significant finding is those female sex workers were less likely to use alcohol consumption that has 5-9 clients per week. Alcohol using older (25+ years) FSWs were 9 times more likely to have HIV. Married FSWs those using alcohol, were less likely to have HIV, and those alcohol using FSWs aged at first sex was 15-20 years, 5 times more likely to have HIV seropositivity. Alcohol using FSWs were 30 times more likely to have HIV, who served their client at Lodge/ Hotel. Conclusion:The findings suggest a need to integrate intervention for alcohol use and related problems in multilevel contexts and with multiple components to effectively reduce alcohol use and to mitigate inconsistent condom use.

Prevalence and correlates of physical violence and rape among female sex workers in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study with respondent-driven sampling from 11 major towns

“…Several studies conducted in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya also reported similar findings 9 10 12 19. A large proportion of FSWs use alcohol prior to or during sex to help them to solicit clients and overcome their shyness 35 36. In particular, high level of alcohol consumption places FSWs at a disadvantage by intensifying their vulnerability 8.…”