Barriers on Hiv Prevention for Female Sex Workers in Lao PDR: a Literature Review (2003-2014)

Although the government of Lao PDR and its development partners have been providing strong political commitment and strengthening the endorsement and implementation on HIV/AIDS prevention programs to end epidemic of HIV/AIDS; nonetheless, HIV/AIDS prevalence and incidence in Lao PDR have been increasing rapidly since 2003. The risk are higher among key affected populations such as sex workers, male who have sex with male, their clients, and injecting drug users. There are numerous causes and barriers that prevent to country to reach the MDGS that set targets of HIV prevalence amongst population aged 15-24 years at less than 1 percent and HIV prevalence amongst female sex workers at less than 5 percent in 2015 such as limited civil society involvement, poor coverage and quality of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services, condom use program that is not universally covered, increased in migrant sex workers, low level of education, and unsafe sexual activity, and unaccommodating environment. The objective of the HIV prevention among female sex workers research was identified the barriers on HIV/AIDS interventions in Lao PDR. Literature review was conducted by using existing Lao PDR country progress reports on HIV/AIDS. The HIV prevention programmes for female sex workers not successful too much, because there have many barriers such as: 1) Sexual services are illegal and visible phenomenon in Lao PDR. 2) Number and HIV incidence amongst the female sex worker was increased and also their sexual activities are more hidden and difficult to reach them into HIV prevention programmes. 3) Female sex workers are vulnerable and high risk behaviour. 4) Condom use of female sex workers with the recent client was steadily increased, but with regular partners is still low. 5) The quality of health care services on HIV prevention still low and lack of professional skills. 6) FSWs have sexual intercourse in too young age, so they are higher risks for HIV infection. 7) Female sex workers are remaining perceived stigma and discrimination by society, especially by health care service providers. Stigmatization and discrimination is the one barriers of HIV prevention for female sex workers in Lao PDR.