Women’s Decision to Become Commercial Sex Workers in Banjarsari, Surakarta, Central Java, and its Associated Factors

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, an estimated 33 million people are living with Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV). Sex workers are 10 times more at risk of HIV compared with the general population, due to an increased likelihood of being economically vulnerable, unable to negotiate consistent condom use, and experiencing violence, criminalisation and marginalisation. Little is known about factors associated with the decision to work as a female sex worker in Indonesia. This study aimed to examine factors associated with women’s decision to become commercial sex workers in Banjarsari, Surakarta, Central Java. Subjects and Method: This was a case control study conducted in Banjarsari, Surakarta, Central Java. A total sample of 200 study subjects consisting of 100 female commercial sex workers and 100 non sex workers. The dependent variable was women’s decision to become commercial sex worker. The independent variables were knowledge of sexually-transmitted disease (STDs), family income, pro-commercial sex worker family support, snobbish life style, and access to whore house. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: Women’s decision to become commercial sex worker was negatively associated with good knowledge of STDs (OR= 0.03; 95% CI= 0.01 to 0.18; p<0.001), high family income (OR= 0.01; 95% CI<0.01 to 0.05; p<0.001). Women’s decision to become commercial sex worker was positively associated with strong pro-commercial sex worker family support (OR= 8.15; 95% CI= 2.63 to 25.23; p<0.001), snobbish life style (OR= 6.20; 95% CI= 1.81 to 21.24; p= 0.004), and access to whore house (OR= 8.52; 95% CI= 2 .49 to 29.17; p= 0.001). Conclusion: Women’s decision to become commercial sex workers decreases with good knowledge of the STDs and higher family income. Women’s decision to become commercial sex workers increases with strong pro-commercial sex worker family support, life style, and access to whore house. Keywords: Women’s decision, commercial sex worker, knowledge, family income, family support, life style, access to whore house