Two Sides of the Same Story: Alcohol Use and HIV Risk Taking in South India

This qualitative study examines the role of alcohol in sexual risk among male migrant workers and female sex workers in two South Indian states. Most men reported using alcohol for increased energy and courage prior to their sexual experiences and to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Sex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIDS and behavior 2010-08, Vol.14 (Suppl 1), p.136-146
Main Authors: Rodríguez, Daniela C., Krishnan, A. K., Kumarasamy, N., Krishnan, Gopal, Solomon, Davidson, Johnson, Sethulakshmi, Vasudevan, C. K., Solomon, Raja, Ekstrand, Maria L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggression
Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology
Condoms
Condoms - statistics & numerical data
Female
Health Psychology
HIV Infections - epidemiology
HIV Infections - prevention & control
Humans
India - epidemiology
Infectious Diseases
Intervention
Interviews as Topic
Loneliness
Male
Males
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Migrant Workers
Original Paper
Prostitution
Public Health
Qualitative research
Risk
Risk-Taking
Sex Work - statistics & numerical data
Sexual Behavior
Transients and Migrants - statistics & numerical data
Violence
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Summary:This qualitative study examines the role of alcohol in sexual risk among male migrant workers and female sex workers in two South Indian states. Most men reported using alcohol for increased energy and courage prior to their sexual experiences and to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Sex workers, on the other hand, often stated that they avoided alcohol prior to sex in order to stay alert and reduce the risk of violence. Both groups reported that drinking often increased male aggression and reduced condom use. Research is needed to examine the prevalence of these patterns as well as factors associated with sexual risk and violence, in order to develop targeted interventions for these groups. Future risk reduction programs may benefit from addressing safer ways of meeting the needs expressed by the participants. This may include strategies to defuse volatile situations, safe ways of improving the sexual experience, and interventions aimed at alleviating loneliness and isolation for migrants.
ISSN:1090-7165
1573-3254
DOI:10.1007/s10461-010-9722-z