Correlates of AIDS Knowledge among Two Groups Having Multiple Sex Partners in Mumbai, India

Anil Kumar K., Tata Institute of Social Sciences

This paper examines the dimensions of sexual networking and the correlates of AIDS knowledge among two population groups that engage in sex with multiple partners. For this, the data collected from 501 female sex workers and 215 clients in Mumbai, India is analysed using bi-variate and multi-variate techniques. It was found that despite the massive efforts at improving condom use and spreading AIDS knowledge, the extent of knowledge is low among both the groups, particularly among female sex workers. The significant correlates of the knowledge level among female sex workers are location, educational level, religion, reason for entering into the profession and the number of clients attended per day. The major influencing variables in the case of clients are: number of years in the Metro, education and marital status. The paper discussers the implications including that for sustained condom use. Strategies are suggested to effectively address the issues of spreading AIDS knowledge and increasing the condom use.