Coping Strategies of Female Sex Workers with HIV/AIDS in Manipur

The present study attempted to examine the coping strategies used by female sex workers infected by HIV/AIDS. Thirty FSWs infected with HIV/AIDS were interviewed and administered the Coping Check List individually. Results revealed that denial/blame was most frequently used coping strategies and social support was one of the least. Subjects on antiretroviral therapy (ART) used more of acceptance, distraction positive, social support and problem solving as compared to those without ART. Subjects without ART used more of denial/blame, negative distraction and religion/faith. Subjects living in their own homes were found to have more tendency towards using religion/faith as coping strategy compared to those living in sheltered homes. Further, there was significant difference in coping strategies among married and unmarried subjects. Married subjects used more of religion/faith as coping strategies compared to unmarried subjects.