Impact Evaluation of Community Group Membership on Physical Violence and HIV/AIDS Prevention among Female Sex Workers in AVAHAN districts of India

Using propensity score matching methodology, this paper examine the impact of community group membership on experience of physical violence, any positive sexual transmitted infections, and HIV tested and collected result among female sex workers (FSWs) in India. A cross sectional survey was administered in 2009-2010 and covered 7,806 FSWs through probability sampling. About 38 percent of FSWs reported being member of community group and majority of FSWs were aged above 24 years, currently married, street based FSWs by typology, had experience of physical violence, had HIV test done and collected result. The average effect of treatment (being a member of community group) on treated (experience of physical violence and consistent condom use with regular partner) was 21% and 10%, respectively. The average effect of membership was marginally high among those who tested for HIV and collected results. On sexually transmitted infections, average impact was 5% higher compared to those who did not have any STIs. These finding suggest that community group membership are an effective intervention strategy to reduce risk of STIs and HIV among the FSWs.