How Nigerian Prostitutes Are Fighting Off HIV/AIDS

By Chuks Ekpeneru

Commercial Sex Workers in Sokoto say they have adopted the principle of “no condom, no sex” as part of efforts to protect themselves from contracting HIV virus.

The sex workers told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that HIV was real and advised young girls and older women in their line of business to protect themselves against the virus.

This as Nigerians prepare for the World AIDS Day.

Speaking to NAN at a brothel in Sharp Corner, a suburb of Sokoto City, one of the sex workers said “I spend part of my proceeds on condom because I do not accept customer’s condom. I try to protect my self and advise other girls in the business to do the same.

“I believe we should use a condom with whoever comes to our rooms. It is very important for protection. I use my own. I do not use my customer’s condom because this world is funny.

“Let us assume you are my customer and you come here with a condom, I will not accept it. No matter the quality of what you bring, I will use my own. HIV is real and you must use a condom.

“I go to the hospital for HIV screening after every three months to know my status,” she said.

Another sex worker, a 22-year-old girl, who claimed to be a trained medical laboratory scientist, told NAN that she insists on condom to protect herself from HIV.

“I know much about HIV because I am a trained medical laboratory scientist but found myself in this line of work. I may not like the job I am doing, but I value my life.

“So, no condom, no sex. That is my principle,” she declared.

A teenager prostitute in another brothel said “I will not sleep with anyone without a condom even if he offers to pay a higher amount. Some will offer N10,000 or more to sleep with me without a condom.

“But I always turn it down because of the high risk involved. I am okay with the little amount I am getting. At least it is keeping me alive.”

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