GLOBAL JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 1 www.gjmedph.org Vol. 5, No. 3 2016 ISSN#- 2277-9604 Condom negotiation skill among female sex workers: A qualitative study from western Nepal Dibya Sharma *1 , Ramchandra Kafle 2 , Shyam Sundar Budhathoki 3 , Diksha Sapkota 4 , Paras Kumar Pokharel 5 ABSTRACT Background Condom is effective in preventing Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Sexually transmitted infection(STI). Condom use is a complex behavior and there is limited understanding about its dealing with the male clients by the Female Sex Workers (FSW). Aims & Objective The study explores the perception of FSWs towards their work, their knowledge on HIV/AIDS and STIs and practice of condom negotiation skills among the FSWs in Pokhara city. Methods A qualitative study was conducted among female sex workers aged 15 - 54 years who had come to clinic of Naulo Ghumti for STI/HIV testing and counseling. Purposive sampling was used to select a heterogeneous group from April 2013 - June 2013 through in-depth interviews to assess their knowledge regarding the condom negotiation skills, effectiveness of their knowledge and skills to convince clients for the use of condom. Results The FSWs reported that they have some knowledge about HIV/AIDS, STIs & its transmission. Condom use was nor regular with their boyfriends and old clients whom they perceive to be free of HIV & STI. The understanding about Condom Negotiation Skill was vague among the respondents. However, they reported that the clients are convinced most of the time for using a condom. Conclusion This study provides information on the life and work of FSWs in Nepal. Many of FSWs despite their knowledge were unable to negotiate for condom use. So continuous reinforcement of negotiation skill is still necessary to be done so that it becomes the habit & they will strictly adhere to the practice. Keywords: AIDS, Condom Negotiation Skill, Female Sex Worker, HIV, Knowledge GJMEDPH 2016; Vol. 5, issue 3 1 Lecturer, Nursing Program, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal 2 DM Resident Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal 3 Assistant Professor, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, B P Koirala Institute of Health Science, Dharan, Nepal 4 Lecturer, School of Nursing, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal 5 Professor, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, B P Koirala Institute of Health Science, Dharan, Nepal *Corresponding Author: Dibya Sharma Lecturer, Nursing Program, Manipal College of Medical Science, Pokhara dibyasharma01@gmail.com Conflict of Interest—none Funding—none