Intimate relationships of Devadasi sex workers in South India: An exploration of risks of HIV/STI transmission

Abstract

Global literature on female sex workers suggests that being in an intimate relationship is associated with barriers to practising safe sex behaviours. Condom use within intimate relationships is often seen as a sign of infidelity and fosters mistrust which could affect longevity, trust and intimacy within partnerships. Using qualitative data from Devadasi sex workers and their intimate male partners in Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India, we examined both partners' perspectives to understand the quality and dynamics of these relationships and the factors that influence condom use in intimate relationships. Our thematic analysis of individual interviews conducted in May 2011 with 20 couples suggests that many Devadasi sex workers and their intimate partners define their relationships as ‘like marriage’ which reduced their motivation to use condoms. Evidence from this study suggests that active participation in sex workers' collectives (sanghas) can increase condom use, education and family planning services, among other things, and could be helpful for both Devadasis and their intimate partners to better understand and accept safer sexual practices. Our work has direct implications for designing couple-based health interventions for traditional Devadasi sex workers and their intimate partners in India.

Keywords:

• Devadasi
• intimate partner
• couple-based research
• HIV prevention
• India

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to sincerely thank Dr Shalini Bharat, Ms. Deepika Ganju and Knowledge Network Project team of Population Council for the support and constructive feedback. The authors also acknowledge the contribution of Chaitanya AIDS Tadegattuwa Mahila Sangha and the communities and individuals who participated in this study. We acknowledge the STRIVE project for supporting this research. STRIVE is supported by the Department for International Development, UK. The helpful comments from the three anonymous reviewers are also appreciated. Views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the Department's official policies.

Notes

1. Translated as ‘Chaitanya AIDS Prevention Women's Association’.