Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey among Female Sex Workers Pokhara Valley

Abstract

This study is the third round of the IBBS and was conducted from June through to August 2008, among 200 female sex workers (FSWs) in Pokhara. The study was undertaken to measure the prevalence of HIV and syphilis, and associated risk 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.