PROJECT
Assessing the Patterns and Drivers of Migration/Mobility of Sex Workers and Male Workers and Examining the Links with HIV Risk

There is growing recognition of the importance of migration/mobility in the spread of HIV infection. However, empirical research on this subject has been negligible. Although intra- and interstate migration of men and female sex workers is common in India, little is known about their patterns of migration and the links of this mobility to the spread of HIV infection. Consequently, it has not been possible to design programs to prevent the spread of HIV infection in these vulnerable population groups. Both India’s National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Avahan initiative have placed special emphasis on the need to reduce HIV risk among mobile populations by implementing interventions to prevent the spread of the virus.

From November 2006 to November 2007, Population Council researchers undertook a study to examine the patterns of migration/mobility among female sex workers and male workers and their links with HIV risk. The goal was to provide evidence to inform the design and implementation of HIV interventions for male migrant workers. The study was undertaken in collaboration with several Indian and international institutions in India and was conducted in several districts (sex worker studies took place in 22 districts; male worker studies took place in 21 districts) of four states that have a high HIV prevalence: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

Ethnographic and survey research was conducted to collect data on the patterns and routes of mobility and sexual risk behaviors of female sex workers and male workers. The study was conducted among more than 6,000 mobile female sex workers and 11,000 male migrant workers from the four states. Invaluable support was provided by Avahan; Avahan's partner NGOs, including NACO and state AIDS control societies; and other national and international organizations.

Note: This research study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The views expressed herein and publications from the study are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Population Council researchers

Niranjan Saggurti, Anrudh Jain, Saroj Pachauri, Saumya RamaRao

Non-Council collaborators

Shalini Bharat (Tata Institute of Social Sciences)

Shiva Halli (Karnataka Health Promotion Trust)

Hanimi Reddy (TNS Pvt. Ltd.)

Rajendra Singh (MODE Pvt. Ltd.)

Donor

Avahan, the India AIDS Initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Publications/Resources on this project

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