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NGO: Male sex workers at high risk of spreading STIs
Hundred of "cats", a local term for bisexual male sex workers in Bali, pose a high risk of spreading HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and must have themselves checked to prevent a further outbreak, a foundation says
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Hundred of "cats", a local term for bisexual male sex workers in Bali, pose a high risk of spreading HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and must have themselves checked to prevent a further outbreak, a foundation says.
As many as 360 cats have received education on HIV/AIDS and STIs as of 2006, according to spokespersons from HIV/AIDS focused Gaya Dewata Foundation (YGD), but their unchecked number remains a high risk for the spread of STIs.
"They are a high risk in respect to HIV infections and other STIs because they switch partners between both men and women," said Vivi, the director of YGD.
The sex workers further increase the risk of transmitting HIV and other STIs because the group tends to move around a lot.
"They are very mobile, although they still belong to the same network. They do this to make it hard for customers to identify their profiles, which makes it easier for them to find new customers," said Gino, who pioneered the YGD's outreach program in 2006.
Cats, a word also used to describe those who are prone to HIV and STDs, differ from MSM (men who have sex with men), because the group provides sex services to male and female customers.
YGD, one of the oldest institutions to provide HIV, AIDS and STI handling in Bali, has been run by gay and transgender activists for the past 13 years. The institution provides education on STIs, provides group and individual support, and provides access to medication.
As of August, out of the 250 sex workers (comprising of both cats and MSM) who came in for voluntary HIV and STIs checkups at the foundation, about 5 percent of cats, or two people, were infected with STIs.
"Of this particular group, the number has decreased compared to 2006 due to intensive support, such as education and free medication," said Vivi, who is a transvestite.
"Compared to transvestites, cats are more disciplined when it comes to using condoms. This is also because their customers are usually more educated middle-class citizens, including tourists," said Gino, who also coordinates the foundation's field operations.
Gino said he has trouble finding cats who are willing to talk about their work because they tend to have a close-knit group. Cats tend to be regarded as more exclusive because they work off the streets, with many of these cats belonging to pimps who regulate the deals.
"So we are focusing our support services on cats because their numbers are rising fast in Bali," Vivi said.
She said more and more young men want to become cats because cats tend to make more money. They have a different behavior compared to gays and transvestites, which further make cats hard to identify, she added.
"These cats feel safer and free of discrimination, when in fact they are just as prone as any sex workers to sexual violence and sexually transmitted diseases," Vivi said.
She said her foundation had begun to practice extensive outreach programs by using key persons and field operatives with close relations to the group.
The key person will meet the group at least 10 times a month to discuss health issues that they may have experienced and provide access to medications.
According to the Bali Commission for AIDS Handling (KPA), out of 2,208 people living with HIV/AIDS, there are 133 bisexual and homosexual people living with HIV/AIDS.
The highest number of people with HIV/AIDS belongs to the heterosexual group and the injected drug user group, that of 1,297 and 662 people respectively.
