title: Evaluation of a community-based HIV preventive intervention for female sex workers in rural areas of Karnataka State, south India.
abstract: To examine changes in behavioral outcomes among rural female sex workers (FSWs) involved in a community-based comprehensive HIV preventive intervention program in south India. A total of 14, 284 rural FSWs were reached by means of a community-based model for delivering outreach, medical, and referral services. Changes in behavior were assessed using 2 rounds of polling booth surveys conducted in 2008 and 2011. In all, 95% of the mapped FSWs were reached at least once, 80.3% received condoms as per need, and 71% received health services for sexually transmitted infections. There was a significant increase in condom use (from 60.4% to 72.4%, P = .001) and utilization of HIV counseling and testing services (from 63.9% to 92.4%; P = .000) between the 2 time periods. This model for a community-based rural outreach and HIV care was effective and could also be applied to many other health problems.
authors.affiliation: St John's Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Reynold G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.affiliation: St John's Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India docanita2001@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nath
authors.affiliation: Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shajy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isac
authors.affiliation: Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Javalkar
authors.affiliation: Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Banadakoppa M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.affiliation: Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Parinita
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhattacharjee
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moses
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV/AIDS; behavior; condom; female sex workers; rural India