Number of clients on the last working day
The majority of sex workers (68%) had said that they had between 2 and 4 one-time clients on the last working day before the survey. Three percent of FSWs had reported having had six partners on the last working day. However, the majority of sex workers (64%) had reported having either one or two regular clients on the last working day. About 25% sex workers had reported no contact with a regular client and 3% did not have a one-time client on the last working day. While 16% had 5 or more one-time clients on the last working day, only 2% had 5 or more regular clients.
Knowledge indicators
STI/HIV infection prevention knowledge consistent condom use
Ninety percent sex workers had said that they had heard about HIV/AIDS and 87% had stated that they had heard about STIs. A large proportion of sex workers were aware that use of condom could help prevent HIV infection and STIs.
Though a large majority of sex workers (65%) was aware that condom use could prevent STI infection, this proportion was lower than those aware of condom use being a preventive measure against HIV (79%) (Figure 4). Twenty five percent of FSWs were also aware that avoiding sex with a person with an STI could prevent STI.
A noticeably lower proportion was aware of two other areas of knowledge: avoiding injections with contaminated needles (17%) and using screened blood for transfusion (13%) to prevent HIV infection.
Other population sub groups
Key demographics
Mean age of other sub population groups
The mean age of clients of sex workers was 28.8 years and was 26 years for diamond industry workers.
The mean age of male slum dwellers was 30.3 years and for working female slum dwellers was 30 years. The mean age of male university students was 20.9 years.
Educational status
About 58% working female slum dwellers were illiterate, which was much higher than the corresponding male sub groups. Literacy level among diamond industry workers was highest at 93% and 77% clients of sex workers and 82% male slum dwellers were literate.
Higher levels of education were reported among the diamond industry workers and male slum dwellers than among the clients of sex workers. Fifty four percent diamond industry workers and 41% male slum dwellers had studied at least up to Class X as compared to only 26% of the clients of sex workers (Figure 5). Higher education levels were however low and 2% and 4% respondents from all groups had gone to college.
Marital status
In all sub-groups except students, the percentage of married respondents was higher than unmarried ones. This difference was especially significant among the slum dwellers (Figure 6).
