title: Evaluation of sexually transmitted diseases/human immunodeficiency virus intervention programs for sex workers in Calcutta, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Sonagachi Project in Calcutta, India, organized sex workers to improve working conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare rates of sexually transmitted diseases between the Sonagachi Project and other areas in which only the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) interventions were implemented.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of randomly selected female sex workers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the prevalence of all STDs between the 2 areas; both were lower than reported in other surveys in 1992. Analysis using propensity scores also failed to demonstrate any difference. The number of preventive activities was similar in the Sonagachi and NACO-only areas but was more prevalent than in 1992. Sex workers in the Sonagachi area had better treatment-seeking behavior and attitudes. Both the Sonagachi and NACO strategies have resulted in lower STD rates, but the Sonagachi Project also increased the proportion who had an optimistic attitude and increased prevention and treatment-seeking behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and STD, Calcutta National Medical College, Calcutta, India.
authors.forename: Dwijendra Nath
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Gangopadhyay
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chanda
authors.forename: Kamalesh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.forename: Swapan Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Niyogi
authors.forename: Sekhar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.forename: Malay Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Byomkesh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manna
authors.forename: Smarajit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jana
authors.forename: Pratim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Sujit Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Detels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy