Free Condoms for Bangkok Sex Workers

Bangkok Deputy Governor Praphan Kittisin said last week that 1 million condoms will be handed out free to sex workers and laborers as part of the "100 Percent Condom Campaign" against HIV/AIDS planned for 2002-2007. There are approximately 136,000 people in Bangkok infected with HIV -- 10 percent of the national HIV infection total. The condoms will be distributed through sex establishments, entertainment venues and district offices, Kittisin said. The economic crisis was blamed for an increase in HIV/AIDS over the past two years because the Public Health Ministry stopped handing out free condoms, and owners of some sex outlets stopped providing condoms to their workers.

Dr. Krit Hiranrat, chief of the Health Department, said sex was the main cause of HIV/AIDS transmission in the city. "About 75 percent of HIV-infected people got the disease through sex and 11 percent through drug use. About 5 percent were children infected by their mothers," he said. Transmission through blood transfusions was nominal because of the strict rules regarding blood donations. In addition to the condom campaign, health volunteers will teach HIV/AIDS awareness in city communities and health centers will be equipped to allow them to better handle HIV/AIDS patients. A sex education handbook will also be distributed to primary school teachers.

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