Migrant Female Sex Workers in Thailand : Survey and Health Policy Implication
Migrant Female Sex Workers in Thailand : Survey and Health Policy Implication
Keywords:
Migrant Female Sex Worker; Incentive; Condom UseAbstract
Abstract
The article focuses on the migrant female sex worker population in Thailand. The objectives are 1) To study whether said sex workers are working voluntarily 2) To investigate the reasons for their entry into commercial sex work 3) To study condom use among migrant sex workers. The study was conducted in three provinces: Bangkok, Chachoensao (in the eastern region), and Songkla (in the southern region) during 2011-2012. 278 questionnaire surveys were administered, and 32 in-depth interviews were conducted. Participants were migrant female sex workers from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, China and Vietnam. It is found that economics is the major factor driving these women into the sex trade. Therefore, sex workers are not always forced to work. They have the possibility of earning cash to bring home, and have flexibility in working hours. Most of them enter the workforce at a young age and plan to retire when they have enough resources to settle in their hometown. The findings reveal about one sixth of sex workers admit to using condoms “sometimes/never”. Inconsistent condom use is a crucial challenge in this area. Condom promotion and broadening access to condoms remains an important policy in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. Aggressively promoting prevention and education campaigns carrying AIDS-prevention messages to sex workers and their customers is vital in keeping the HIV infection rate down.
Keywords: Migrant Female Sex Worker; Incentive; Condom Use
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