Integrated Bio-behavioral Survey (IBBS) among Female Sex Workers and Behavioral Surveillance Survey (BSS) among Clients in Pokhara Valley – 2004

Abstract

This study was conducted among 200 female sex workers (FSWs) and 400 clients in the Pokhara Valley. This was the first round of the integrated bio-behavioral survey (IBBS) conducted among female sex workers in Pokhara valley and behavioral surveillance survey among the clients of the female sex workers in the Pokhara valley. The survey was carried out during the months of May and June 2004. It was designed to measure HIV and syphilis prevalence among female sex workers and the risk behaviors which are associated with a risk of HIV infection, such as condom use, sexual behaviors, knowledge of HIV/AIDS, reported cases of STI and their treatment behaviors, exposure to HIV/AIDS messages and drug habits. This survey will be repeated regularly to measure the prevalence of HIV and identify changes in the behaviors over time.