SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL DETERMINANTS OF CONSISTENT CONDOM USE AMONG FEMALE COMMERCIAL SEX WORKERS IN GHANA

Abstract

This study investigated the social and behavioral predictors of consistent condom use among female commercial sex workers (FCSWs) in Ghana. Four hundred fifty street commercial sex workers were interviewed in Accra, Kumasi and Techiman. The level of condom education was very low (14%); however consistent condom use (all the time) with clients was relatively high (49.6%). Two hundred seventy-seven of the participants did not use condoms all the time. Significant predictive factors associated with consistency of condom use among FCSWs in a multivariate analysis were age, level of education, religion, and number of customers. Some of the major obstacles identified in this study to consistent condom use were refusal by clients, lack of availability of free condoms, and the lack of empowerment to negotiate safer sex with clients. In summary, this study points to an urgent need for reestablishing effective prevention intervention and some insights of what is required of such program in Ghana.