Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Toward Sexually-Transmitted Infections in Turkish Sex Trade Workers

Abstract

The incidence and subsequent rise of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is an important public health problem in Turkey, as it is in other parts of the world. Since the mid-1980s, the incidence of STIs among the Turkish population has increased dramatically, particularly in the major urban areas. One hundred and fifty registered sex trade workers were interviewed to examine their current perceptions, knowledge, and behaviors. Socio-demographic information and other responses were tabulated as well as discussion of current behaviors and practices. Future recommendations are made to assist social workers, nurses, and other professionals in the area of public health. Suggestions include: (a) helping to increase awareness of problems within the sex trade among decision makers and opinion leaders by educating members of parliament, the mass media and the general population; (b) provision of additional resources and problem solving strategy for women who test positive or need treatment for STIs; and, (c) emphasizing and supporting formalized programs to help educate commercial sex trade workers, consumers and public health workers in the assessment and prevention of communicable diseases.