Life circumstances of women entering sex Work in Nagaland, India

Abstract

Background and objectives: The study objective was to enhance understanding of female sex workers' lives in Nagaland, India (one of the country's highest HIV prevalence states), to inform the development of interventions to reduce HIV transmission and assist women who want to leave sex work. Methods: A cross-sectional survey (n = 220) and semi-structured interviews (n = 30) were conducted with sex workers. Topics included the following: life situation currently and at time of initial engagement in sex work, circumstances of first sex work occasion, and current patterns of sex work. Results: Participants' lives at time of entry into sex work were socio-culturally and economically vulnerable a..