Asian Sex Trade Promotes AIDS

Article

HANOI, Vietnam-The sex trade in Asia is growing quickly, leaving AIDS victims in its wake.

While many countries in Asia are trying desperately to educate the public about method of infection and prevention of the disease, the attitudes of people are changing and becoming more dangerous.

The sex industry is slowly moving from the red light districts into bars, karaoke parlors, and restaurants. Prostitution is often a part-time occupation and students often pay for their studies by selling sex.

These changes in perspective are keeping officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) on their toes, searching for new solutions to the growing epidemic. There are an estimated 6 million people in Asia infected with AIDS. More than 3.9 of these people live in India, although Cambodia has the highest rate of infection-some 2.8% within the adult population. Researchers estimate there will be more than 800,000 Asian dying annually from the virus by 2005.

Although there are more government programs offering condoms and education, the sex industry is big business for many countries. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand attribute an estimated 2-14% of their gross domestic product to the sex industry. In industrialized Japan, the sex industry is also a problem, with 1-3% of their GDP coming from similar earnings.

Information from the Associated Press

Recent Videos
Pathogen Playbook Presenter: Sharon Ward-Fore, BS, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC
Mark Wiencek, PhD
Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC
The CDC’s updated hospital respiratory reporting requirement has added new layers of responsibility for infection preventionists. Karen Jones, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, clinical program manager at Wolters Kluwer, breaks down what it means and how IPs can adapt.
Studying for the CIC using a digital tablet and computer (Adobe Stock 335828989 by NIKCOA)
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL,  CER, CFER, CRCST
Matthias Tschoerner, Dr Sc
Standardizing Cleaning and Disinfection
Related Content