Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey among Female Sex Workers Kathmandu Valley Round III -2008

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This study is the third round of the IBBS conducted from June through August 2008 among 500 FSWs, both street (N=200) and establishment based (N=300) in the Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts). The study was undertaken to measure the prevalence of HIV and syphilis,and associated risk and prevention behaviors among FSWs. Demographic and sexual behavior data were collected through a structured questionnaire while the prevalence of HIV and syphilis were selectively measured by blood samples. Syphilis was tested using the Rapid Plasma Regain (RPR) test card and HIV was detected by using Determine HIV 1/2 test as first test to detect antibodies against HIV, Uni-Gold test as a second test and SD Bioline HIV 1/2 test as a tie breaker test.