In close collaboration with Provincial Health Department of Pailin province, the National Center for HIV/AIDS Dermatology and STD (NCHAD) and the Cambodian Women for Peace and Development, AFESIP Pailin Provincial HIV/AIDS branch office brought 121 volunteer entertainment women as target group, and 1 male partners for blood testing conducted from 21 to 25 February 2013. Pailin formerly a town of Battambang province, now Pailin province bordering to Thailand, northwest of Cambodia.

It is to inform that Cambodia’s HIV prevalence has fallen from an estimated peak of 2.0% in 1998 to 0.9% in 2006, with declines in new infections attributed largely to increased condom use in brothels through initiatives like the 100% Condom Use Program, which provided Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) education to Female Entertainment Women through outreach workers and monthly STI check-ups. However since 2006, large numbers of non-brothel entertainment establishments have opened, challenging the coverage of preventive services.

In order to reduce HIV transmissions among the most at risk populations, the Community/ Peer Initiated Testing and Counseling seek to increase the HIV testing and counseling coverage among entertainment women; increase the number of HIV infected entertainment women accessing HIV care and treatment services and reduce risk-taking behaviors such as unprotected sex, especially sweethearts.

Post-test counseling had provided to all participants, regardless of test results. All participants will be provided with the counselor’s phone for further information regarding HIV testing.

After testing, it was informed that a karaoke woman among the 122 entertainment women has been affected by HIV.