Socio-Demographic Condition and Health Complications of Street-Based Sex Workers in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh

摘要

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) including HIV, continue to present major public health, social and economic problem in Bangladesh leading to consisderable morbidity, mortality and stigma. For this a study on socio-demographic and health complications has been designed to investigate some important factors which are responsible for certain health hazards of Street-based Sex Workers (SSWs). A cross-sectional study was conducted among SSW in randomly selected three Drop In Centers (DIC). Socio-demographic and health related information have been collected through a structured questionnaire using purposive sampling technique and a total of 176 SSW have been interviewed. Most of the SSWs are very young (68.18% below 35 years) and they have been connected to this most hated profession by early ages (52.84% before 25 years). This profession is mainly dominated by the illiterate (76.14%) and married women (73.29%). They are paid a little amount of money (<50 Tk per client) and they have taken highest number of clients (>3) per night. On the other hand, they have spent very few amount of money (<500 Tk month-1) for health purpose. Consequently, they are suffering from different types of health complications. Very young, married and illiterate women are serving the sex trade containing severe health hazards. The study suggests that female educational attainment should improve and to promote for the safety of this high vulnerable group immediate program should be taken by the policy makers as well as social leaders.