AIDS Knowledge, Self‐Esteem, Perceived AIDS Risk, and Condom Use Among Female Commercial Sex Workers1

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Abstract
This paper explores the effects of type of sexual partner (customer vs. primary partner) and several social psychological enabling resources (self‐esteem, perceived personal risk of HIV infection, and knowledge about AIDS/HIV) on condom use among 141 female commercial sex workers. The data examine condom use during the respondents' most recent sexual activity with a male partner. Logistic regression analysis supports earlier findings that commercial sex workers are significantly more likely to use condom during commercial sex with a customer, rather than relational sex with a spouse or significant other. Subsequent multiple logistic regression analysis indicates that, controlling for type of sexual partner (client vs. primary partner), the odds of condom use are significantly increased by the respondents' knowledge about AIDS, level of self‐esteem, and personal sense of risk of AIDS infection.