Female garment factory in Camdodia are more exposed to HIV/AIDS than previously thought. Although HIV/AIDS epidemics are fast spreading in Cambodia, relatively little is known about the sexual health of women other than those perceived as commercial sex workers or married women of reproductive age. In-depth interviews with 20 unmarried female garment factory workers, who reported to have engaged an multi-partnered sex through direct or discretionary commercial sex occupations, demonstrate that they are exposed to HIV-risk created along the gradients of power. Low socioeconomic status (low education, meager factory wage and high dependency rate at their rural households) and obligations as daughters to provide for the family mainly determine their entry into sex work. At the location of sex work, they are subjected to physical violence, alcohol and drug use, both self-taken and forced, and receive meager wages. In a society where women are expected to be virtuous and obedient to parents and husbands, these workers are motivated to identify male sex partners in paid sex as "sweethearts" rather then "guests." These factors contribute to low consistency of condom use. This paper demonstrates the complex interrelationships between power, cultural definitions of intimacy and economic dependency, which structure sexual relationships and the risk of HIV/AIDS. © 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

youth Migration Garment industry Cambodia HIV/AIDS

HIV Infections sexual behavior lowest income group Cambodia human sexuality Women, Working Condoms controlled study Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome female worker Human immunodeficiency virus gender identity qualitative research social status Humans Adolescent female occupational exposure Socioeconomic Factors prostitution Article women's health textile industry Questionnaires adult migration occupational health Transients and Migrants occupational hazard acquired immune deficiency syndrome