India: A Study Comparing Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Among Ex-Red-Light District and Non-Red-Light District Sex Workers After the Demolition of Baina Red-Light District

Goa's red-light district was demolished in 2004. In the current study, the researchers compared HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between sex workers who had been based in the Baina red-light district (ex-RLD-SWs) with those who had never worked in Baina (non-RLD-SWs).

Using respondent-driven sampling, the investigators recruited 326 sex workers. Participants completed interviewer-administered questionnaires and were tested for Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and antibodies to HIV. Multivariate analysis was used to examine the association between ever working in Baina red-light area and HIV and STIs.

Of participants, 55.3 percent were non-RLD-SWs (n=201), of whom 48 percent had entered sex work since the demolition. Non-RLD-SWs were more likely to be less than 20 years-old, Goan, have experienced sexual and intimate partner violence, to work part-time, from home or the streets, and to have fewer clients. Ex-RLD-SWs were less likely to have curable STIs (adjusted odds ratio 0.27, 95 percent confidence interval: 0.10 to 0.73) and were more likely to have been exposed to HIV prevention and to report consistent condom use with clients.

"Non-RLD-SWs were more likely to be engaged in high-risk sexual activity," the investigators concluded. "Although partly explained by lack of exposure to HIV prevention and inconsistent condom use, social and professional isolation and greater experience of intimate partner and sexual violence may play a role."

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