The evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS of commercial sex workers working in ankara brothel

This study was carried out to determine knowledge, attitude and practice on the prevention of STIs/HIV/AIDS among registered sex workers being at high risk of STI/HIV/AIDS, working in Ankara brothel. The study has been performed among 122 registered sex workers out of 145 (%84.0) in Ankara Venereal Diseases Dispensary.A questionnaire was used to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of sex workers on HIV/AIDS. Descriptive statistics have been used for data evaluation. Chi-square test, chi-square for trends and t-test statistics were performed by SPSS Version 16.0 statistical program.As a result, it has been determined that 44.3 of women is at 30-39 age range, 68.0% is either literate or finished primary school and 56.5% have used condom even once with her spouse/lover/partner. It has been found that 79.5% has used male condom at the sexual relationship with the last client, 96.9% has not used due to partner?s refusal and female condom has not been used. It has been determined that 45.1% of women has answered correctly to 6-11 questions on STIs, 67.2 to 5-11 questions on HIV/AIDS. Hospital at 53.1% is at the first place where to ask education on STI/HIV/AIDS prevention. Condom usage has been found statistically significant among 20-29 and 30-39 age distributions and younger women have been using condoms more frequently than the older ones. There is a significant difference among educational level and STI and HIV/AIDS knowledge points. The more educational level increases the more the frequency of the ones have higher STI and HIV/AIDS knowledge. There is a significant difference between the place where to receive education on STI/HIV/AIDS and knowledge points.It has been considered planning and implementation of frequent and continuous education on the prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS to sex workers may enhance their knowledge, attitude and practice on STIs and HIV/AIDS.