A study shows that the states with the highest amount of Female Sex Workers (FSW) are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and Telangana.
Karnataka top the list with 15.4 per cent, followed by Andhra Pradesh (12.0 per cent), Maharashtra (9.6 per cent), Delhi (8.9 per cent) and Telangana (7.6 per cent), the mapping and population size study (PMPSE) notes.
The five were described as the States with the highest numbers of FSU people and made up 53.0 per cent of the nation’s FSU key population.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the rate of FSW per 1000 adult women was the highest (17.24), while Delhi (15.46), Goa (11.67), Chandigarh (10.10) and Karnataka (8.34) recorded the second, third, fourth and fifth highest figures, respectively.
It was observed by the study that India has the second-highest number of HIV cases and it is mostly these key groups—female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), hijra/transgender (H/TG) and people who use drugs (PWID)—who are hit the hardest by the epidemic.
Community-led PMPSE took place in 651 districts scattered across 32 states and Union Territories in India. The aim was to find the most active networks, important players and estimate how many people are affected in each region, stated the study when it was published in PLOS Global Public Health.
The PMPSE found that 9,95,499 people were FSWs, 3,51,020 were MSM, 2,88,717 were PWIDs and 96,193 were H/TG individuals. The PMPSE for FSWs uncovered 43,579 areas where hotspots exist and 10,718 network operators.
Villagers also reported FSWs in a total of 16,095 villages,according to the organization. Majority of the hotspots (55.1 per cent) were located in homes, whereas 16.1 per cent were on the streets and 5.9 per cent in brothels.
Most of the hotspots detected in PMPSE were found in Karnataka (20.0 per cent) which was followed by Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh (about 8.0 per cent each) and Tamil Nadu (6.0 per cent).
Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal had the second and third highest FSWs per hotspot, each being 29 per hotspot, only after Telangana which had 38 FSWs per hotspot, the report stated.
The PMPSE found that FSWs were present in 642 districts across the country. As per the study, India is home to approximately 2.54 million PLHIV and holds the position of second country worldwide with the most PLHIV. With the help of the NACP, India has greatly controlled the spread of AIDS and STDs.
The country’s clear and effective actions contributed to a 44 percent drop in new HIV cases and a 79 percent reduction in deaths from AIDS between 2010 and 2023.
Even with all the current achievements, nothing can be taken for granted and the program should still be implemented with the same level of vigour and energy going forward. According to the study which is part of the Surveillance and Epidemiological activities of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme of the central government, HIV rates among key populations far surpass the normal adult rates.
It was also noted that mapping and accurately estimating population sizes are vital for an informed strategy to address HIV/AIDS in places where the epidemic is concentrated.
Maharashtra third with 9.6% of female sex workers
As India tries to reduce its HIV cases, currently numbering third highest in the world, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have the greatest amount of female sex workers per hotspot nationwide.
Statistically, it stands clear that Karnataka has the greatest portion of India’s total FSW (female sex workers), making up 15.4% of the national number. After Uttar Pradesh, the next largest share was seen in Andhra Pradesh (12%), Maharashtra (9.6%), Delhi (8.9%) and Telangana (7.6%). Together, more than half (53%) of India’s 9,95,499 female sex workers were in these five states.
The study which was published by PLOS Global Health, examined 651 districts in India’s 32 states and UTs. Under the leadership of Pradeep Kumar from the National AIDS Control Society, it asks for regular PMPSE activities led by groups in local communities to guide responsive public health policies.
The research revealed that across India there are 43,579 FSW hotspots in 642 districts, with 34 areas having more than 5,000 FSWs. The government confirmed that AP has five such districts and Telangana has six. 16,095 villages were included in the report about FSWs. Telangana had the most FSWs per hotspot, with a total of 38 and AP was just below for per hotspot with 29 FSWs.
Most places, however, were less densely populated, at an average of 8 FSWs for every hotspot nationally.
There were more hotspots for sex work at home than in other locations which made up 55.1% of all hotspots. It was estimated that 14% of FSWs worked completely through 10,718 network operators, while 9% were found in Link Worker Scheme (LWS) villages. Telangana had as many as 568 network operators mapped which is one of the most in the country. In Andhra Pradesh every LWS village had around ten FSWs, in contrast to Telangana where there were only eight.
Telangana’s transgender (H/TG) community per hotspot—at around 25 — was also listed as the highest number in the country by the PMPSE. It had more districts than Delhi (24), Gujarat (21) and AP and Maharashtra, each with 20 districts. Even though Delhi had the largest number of H/TG people (18.6%), Telangana stood out because many of its cases were reported where the virus was found.
Overall, it is estimated that 96,193 people in disaster circumstances were identified and most were found at hotspots (90.8%). Even though fewer hotspots were mapped in Telangana, the density was very high.
All in all, 6,585 H/TG hotspots were found and information from key informants was collected from 15,231 people within the community.
Again, Telangana led the way among men who have sex with men (MSM) with 50 per hotspot, then Delhi (29) and Goa (27).
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