ABSTRACT

Much of the discussion about female sex workers and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has centred on them as 'reservoirs of infection' who are spreading HIV to the heterosexual population through their sexual contacts with clients (Alexander, 1988; Campbell, 1991; Rosenberg and Weiner, 1988). Research concerning sex workers has tended to focus on HIV transmission and their working lives, and there has been relatively little investigation of the risks of HIV infection within the context of their private sexual lives with lovers or husbands. In addition, much of the research concerning sex workers, particularly women working in North America, has focused almost exclusively on street prostitutes. This means that our understanding of the potential for HIV transmission among female sex workers who work in other venues is limited.