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The World Health Organization (WHO),
the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNAIDS, and the Global Network of
Sex Work Projects have developed a set of technical recommendations for
effective programs to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and other STDs among sex
workers.
The complete report, “Prevention and Treatment of HIV and Other
Sexually Transmitted Infections for Sex Workers in Low- and Middle-income
Countries,” was published by the WHO Department of HIV/AIDS in December 2012 at
URL: http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/guidelines/sex_worker/en/index.html.
The
guidelines advise that nations should decriminalize sex work and increase the
access of sex workers to health services. Regular, voluntary screening and
treatment for sex workers and empowerment regarding condom negotiation were
other key elements of the guidelines.
Factors that increase the risk of
HIV and other STDs for sex workers include a larger number of sexual partners
and social marginalization. Because their work is against the law, sex workers
face barriers to condom negotiation. Violence and alcohol and drug use may also
contribute to higher risk for sex workers.
The guidelines provide direction for
national public health officials, health workers, HIV/AIDS program managers,
and community organizations that serve sex workers. Brazil, India, Kenya, and
Thailand have successfully implemented similar steps to improve the health of
sex workers and control the epidemic of HIV and STDs among the wider
population.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
