The RED LIGHTS of SONAGACHI

83 per cent were aware that HIV could be prevented by condom use, but only half the respondents consistently used condoms with all paying customers;

39 per cent used condoms the last time they had sex with non-paying partners.

Sonagachi’s figures on condom use
In 1992:

Overall: 2.7 per cent
Always: 1.1 per cent
Often: 1.6 per cent

Overall: 69 per cent
Always: 47.2 per cent
Often: 22.1 per cent

Overall: 90.5 per cent
Always: 50.4 per cent
Often: 40.1 per cent

Source: DMSC, Sonagachi, Calcutta