Non-paying partnerships and its association with HIV risk behavior, program exposure and service utilization among female sex workers in India.

Background: In India, HIV prevention programs have focused on female sex workers' (FSWs') sexual practices vis-à-vis commercial partners leading to important gains in HIV prevention. However, it has become apparent that further progress is contingent on a better understanding of FSWs' sexual risks in the context of their relationships with non-paying partners. In this paper, we explored the association between FSWs' non-paying partner status, including cohabitation and HIV risk behaviors, program exposure and utilization of program services.

A qualitative study of factors affecting mental health amongst low-income working mothers in Bangalore, India.

Background: Low-income urban working mothers face many challenges in their domestic, environmental, and working conditions that may affect their mental health. In India, a high prevalence of mental health disorders has been recorded in young women, but there has been little research to examine the factors that affect their mental health at home and work.

Methods: Through a primarily qualitative approach, we studied the relationship between work, caring for family, spousal support, stress relief strategies and mental health amongst forty eight low-income working mothers residing in urban slums across Bangalore, India.