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Origins and working conditions of female sex workers in urban Thailand: Consequences of social context for HIV transmission

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  • Wawer, Maria J.
  • Podhisita, Chai
  • Kanungsukkasem, Uraiwan
  • Pramualratana, Anthony
  • McNamara, Regina

Abstract

This paper examines the social origins and working conditions of selected female commercial sex workers in Thailand. Quantitative data gathered from 678 commercial sex workers (CSWs) in low-price brothels, tea houses and other work sites in three urban centers were supplemented by focus discussions and in-depth interviews. The commercial sex establishments were selected from lists provided by local health officials. Social factors associated with entry into commercial sex work and condom use for sexual intercourse were investigated as they operate on contextual, intermediate and proximate levels. Women from the North region of Thailand predominated (68%) and they tended to be younger than the 27% from the Northeast. The majority of all women maintained financial ties to the home by sending income to parents, siblings and other relatives but this pattern is stronger among Northern women. Qualitative data suggest that women were systematically recruited into prostitution from villages in the North and their work enabled them to comply with traditional family support roles. Women from the Northeast revealed a more complex pattern of entry with intrafamily strife, divorce, efforts to find other employment, and entry into sex work at a later age than the women from the North. Northeastern women were more than twice as likely as Northern women to have had a husband as their first sex partner (55% vs 22%). The lives of CSWs were found to be tightly controlled by brothel owners and managers, although 8% were living with a husband or partner, and non-commercial sexual relationships in the month prior to interview were reported by up to 23%. Data indicate need for even more intensive education on HIV transmission, especially with respect to risk of transmission in the absence of AIDS symptoms. Appearance and a trusting relationship were the common reasons given for not using condoms. With the most recent client, 92% reported use if the client was not known and 70% reported use if the client had visited the same CSW three or more times. Education on HIV must take these attitudes and motivations into account as well as sanctions for brothel owners who do not enforce condom use. The proportion of Thai men who visit brothels in addition to other sexual partners, high rates of HIV among CSWs, and inconsistent use of condoms create a complex web that accelerates the spread of the HIV epidemic in Thailand.

Suggested Citation

  • Wawer, Maria J. & Podhisita, Chai & Kanungsukkasem, Uraiwan & Pramualratana, Anthony & McNamara, Regina, 1996. "Origins and working conditions of female sex workers in urban Thailand: Consequences of social context for HIV transmission," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 453-462, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:42:y:1996:i:3:p:453-462
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Abel Brodeur & Warn N Lekfuangfu & Yanos Zylberberg, 2018. "War, Migration and the Origins of the Thai Sex Industry," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 16(5), pages 1540-1576.
    2. Scambler, Graham & Paoli, Frederique, 2008. "Health work, female sex workers and HIV/AIDS: Global and local dimensions of stigma and deviance as barriers to effective interventions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(8), pages 1848-1862, April.
    3. Daniel Simonet, 2003. "L'épidémie du sida et les migrants en Asie," Revue Tiers Monde, Programme National Persée, vol. 44(173), pages 195-218.
    4. Charles Jebarajakirthy & Paramaporn Thaichon & Achchuthan Sivapalan, 2017. "Promoting condom usage to male sex workers in Thailand: a development of a conceptual framework: social marketing perspective," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 14(4), pages 495-512, December.
    5. Peera Tangtammaruk, 2014. "Characteristics of the Commercial Sex Market in Thailand: A Microeconomics Investigation," Eurasian Journal of Economics and Finance, Eurasian Publications, vol. 2(1), pages 28-46.
    6. Vanchai Ariyabuddhiphongs & Joseph Li, 2016. "Buddhist Good Karma of Giving, Optimism, and Happiness Among Thai Female Sex Workers," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 127(2), pages 903-917, June.

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