Over 70% truckers, migrant workers don’t use condoms

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Updated on June 24,2006 at 18:42:03

Kolkata: IN its survey conducted towards the end of last year, the West Bengal State AIDS Prevention and Control Society (WBSAPCS) found that most of the truckers and migrant labourers who constitute the ‘‘high-risk’’ group do not use condoms.

According to the study, 70 per cent truckers, 72 per cent migrant labourers and 50 per cent prostitutes do not use condoms. This despite free distribution of condoms among these groups, and the crores spent on the endeavour.

‘‘The study carried out in various red-light pockets, markets and trucker stops in the State clearly indicated that the use of condoms are far less than expected. Most clients are in an inebriated condition and therefore fail to use condoms,’’ said Dr Arunansu Talukdar project-in-charge of WBSAPCS.

The respondents were interveiwed at different sites including red-light ares in Sonagachi, Premchand Boral Street, Kalighat, market hubs like Burrabazar, Sealdah, Phulbagan and trucker points at Jalpaiguri, Howrah station and Mourigram.