Sexual behaviour among young migrant women workers in urban India with risk of HIV infection

Ruchi Jain, National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER)
Kamla Gupta, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Ajay Kumar Singh, International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)

The main objective of this study, which was initiated in January 2005, is to explore migrant women worker’s AIDS-related health information and health care facilities, perceptions about vulnerability, and risk behaviour profile. Data was collected through a pre-tested questionnaire from a random sample of unmarried female migrant workers under 30 years of age residing in Delhi, India. Findings suggest that city life, greater independence and social networks mold their behaviour and lure them to lavish life styles by having rich boy friends, acquiring expensive items like, mobile, home theatre, computer, luxury car, visiting expensive restaurants, going to discos, clubs, and bars, attending late night parties. To maintain their lavish life style, 20 percent of them had sex with their peers, colleagues or boss for monetary benefits or in exchange of promotion and 10 percent had sex with multiple partners. The high risk behaviour of these women put them at greater health risk, a substantial percentage of women have been found suffering from various sexual health problems.