Studies on the transmission model of HIV/AIDS among commercial sex workers in Thailand

In 1990s, there were rapid increases in the number of HIV epidemics and AIDS cases in Thailand, Southeast Asia. In particular the risk of HIV infection was very high among female prostitutes who played a large part in the transmission of HIV infection. We formulated a mathematical model for the transmission of HIV in prostitutes. We carried out the model simulations to analyze the incipient spread of HIV infection and the effect of AIDS prevention methods in prostitutes. The simulation of our model indicates that even if the effect of AIDS prevention methods such as the recommendation of condom use for commercial sex workers would block the transmission at rate by 70%, the elimination of the HIV epidemic is still beyond attainment.