Examining life experiences and HIV risks of Young entertainment workers in four Cambodian cities

Although Cambodia has made significant strides in reducing HIV prevalence, from 2.1% in 1998 to an estimated 0.8% in 2011, there remain pockets of high risk, particularly among entertainment workers (EWs—direct and indirect sex workers who are collectively referred to as EWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG), and injecting drug users. Of note, many members of these most-at-risk populations are young. Globally, young people—defined by the United Nations as 15-24 year olds—account for 40% of all new HIV infections. High risk behaviors, laws and policies that exclude young people from accessing sexual health care and HIV related services, and the lack of age appropriate sex and HIV prevention education puts young people at increased risk of HIV infection. According to a recent National AIDS Authority (NAA) report, a minority of young people in Cambodia have comprehensive knowledge of HIV. Further, although sex by the age of 15 is relatively uncommon the 2010 MARYP survey reveals pockets of high risk, with limited use of condoms in sweetheart relationships.