Young Clients of Hotel-Based Sex Workers in Bangladesh: Vulnerability to HIV, Risk Perceptions, and Expressed Needs for Interventions

ABSTRACT

A qualitative study was conducted among key informants and 53 young clients (15 to 24 years of age) of commercial sex workers from nine hotels in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Respondents reported first sexual encounter before 18 years of age, and reasons for purchasing sex were to prove masculinity or to reduce wet dreams and masturbation, thought to be detrimental to health. Limited knowledge of HIV and sexually transmitted infections was linked to high-risk sexual practices. Condom use was related to perceptions of cleanliness, status, and trust in the sex worker.

A hotel-based, confidential intervention program promoting safe sex practices among clients of sex workers is warranted.

KEYWORDS:

• Clients
• hotel-based sex workers
• vulnerability
• HIV
• Bangladesh

This research was funded by Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). ICDDR,B acknowledges with gratitude the commitment of GFATM to the Centre's research efforts. The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh, National STD/AIDS Program, Save the Children USA, Family Health International (FHI), and Bangladesh Women's Health Coalition (BWHC) to implement the study. The authors thank the hotel staff members, who supported the study activities, and the study participants for their cooperation. The authors also thank M. S. I. Khan for his editorial help.