Demographic correlates of constant condom use among sex workers in Tangail, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Consistent condom use, particularly by promiscuous individuals, is a major safeguard against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. This study examines some demographic factors that may affect such use among Bangladeshi female commercial sex workers at a brothel in Tangail (n = 196; mean age = 23.44 years), and the streets of Dhaka (n = 112; mean age = 25.92 years). The chi2 results indicated that sex workers over 19 years of age were 2.52 times more likely than adolescents under 19 to work on the street rather than at a brothel (chi2 = 8.73, p < .0.01, OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.35-4.72). Brothel sex workers aged over 19 years reported 3.26 probability to regularly use condom with clients than those adolescents aged below 19 years (chi2 = 6.23, p < 0.01, OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.25-8.53). This study found age to be a significant demographic correlate of regular condom use, particularly, among the brothel workers.