Although this is no longer practiced, studies have shown that FSWs in Laos are still perceived negatively and stigmatized, especially by healthcare providers (HCPs). Due to perceived inappropriate behavior according to the Lao traditional culture, FSWs were previously put in rehabilitation camps called Don Nang or ‘women′s island’. Ĭommercial sex, although a visible phenomenon in Laos, is illegal. Despite these efforts, between 0.8 percent and 4.2 percent of FSWs are estimated to be infected with HIV, and the HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men is 5.6 percent.
The target groups included female sex workers (FSWs), migrant workers, men who have sex with men, and drug users. The aim was to expand national capacity in achieving universal and non-discriminating access to treatment, and care and support in order to improve the HIV situation throughout the country. In 2005, the Government of Laos approved a National Strategic and Action Plan on STI/HIV for 2006–2010. In Laos, the main route of STI and HIV transmission is through sexual contact with an infected partner. They also had some control over their lives and working environment, with most viewing their work as an easy and good way of earning money.įemale sex workers (FSWs) are at risk of heterosexual transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of inconsistent condom use, multiple sexual partners, and sexual violence from their sexual partners. The FSWs were, however, not only victims.
Fear of financial insecurity, obligations to support one’s family and the need to secure the future influenced FSWs’ decisions to have safe or unsafe sex. The desire to be self-sufficient and earn as much money as possible put the FSWs in disadvantaged and vulnerable situations. The FSWs reported using a number of strategies to reduce risks and increase benefits. The reported benefits were financial security, fulfilling social obligations, and sexual pleasure. The risks were grouped into six categories: STIs/HIV, unintended pregnancy, stigma, violence, being cheated, and social and economic insecurity. The results revealed that the FSWs were aware of risks but they also talked about benefits related to their work. Latent content analysis was used to analyze the transcribed text. Methodsįive focus group discussions (FGDs) and seven interviews were conducted with FSWs in Kaysone Phomvihan district in Laos. This study aimed to explore the working environment and perceived risks among FSWs in Savannakhet province in Laos. Reducing risks associated with sex work requires an understanding of the social and cultural context in which sex workers live and work. doi:10.7717/peerj.Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and encounter socio-economic and health problems, including STIs/HIV, unintended pregnancy and complications from unsafe abortion, stigma, violence, and drug addiction. Sensory determinants of the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR): understanding the triggers. Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review. Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Baker M, Harris T, Stephenson D. Possible effect of binaural beat combined with autonomous sensory meridian response for inducing sleep. When feeling bad can be good: Mixed emotions benefit physical health across adulthood. Hershfield HE, Scheibe S, Sims TL, Carstensen LL. Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR): a flow-like mental state. A functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the autonomous sensory meridian response.
An fMRI investigation of the neural correlates underlying the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR). Lochte BC, Guillory SA, Richard CAH, Kelley WM. More than a feeling: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is characterized by reliable changes in affect and physiology. Poerio GL, Blakey E, Hostler TJ, Veltri T. An examination of personality traits associated with autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR).