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Abstract
Our aim for this study was to explore the factors influencing women to initiate and continue as sex workers and to explore their perceptions about human immuno deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and health seeking behavior. We conducted a qualitative study based on interviews with 20 purposively selected women selling sex. Content analysis of data resulted in identification of one main theme: “Poverty of opportunity forcing women into prostitution.” The identified driving forces behind women resorting to sell sex were poverty, materialism, and the desire to move up in society. They continued to sell sex due to poverty of opportunity and influencing social factors.
We acknowledge Sida/SAREC for the financial support to carry out the study. We also acknowledge the Swedish Institute for their financial and logistics support for the first author's training for this study in Sweden. We also extend our gratitude for the support extended by the late Professor Fehmida Jalil, who facilitated our carrying out this study.