KARACHI, Feb 21: Migrant workers, particularly truck drivers and fishermen, are among the most vulnerable groups to HIV / AIDS, says a study.

The study conducted by the Working Women Support Centre says that owing to poor economic conditions in the rural areas people migrate to urban centres in large numbers. Living away from the family for extended periods makes them lonely and they seek services of commercial sex workers.

The education level and awareness regarding safe sex among young and healthy migrant workers are very low. Many of these workers return home with HIV infection which is then transferred to their spouses, partners and contacts.

Research says that commercial sex workers were available in major urban centres, hotels and truck stop-overs along the long distance routes on the highways, and around the labour camps.

The study, quoting the data of the National AIDS Programme, says that there were over 1,549 HIV and 212 AIDS cases in the year 2000. 40 per cent of them got the infection due to unsafe sex, while around 20 per cent were infected due to transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products. So far males outnumber females by a ratio of one female to seven males.

The study says that though a very small number of cases have been reported, independent researchers and health organizations put the number of unreported HIV infected people between 70,000 and 80,000.

The study suggests that NGOs, community-based organizations, trade unions and government agencies should join hands to formulate a joint strategy to reduce the HIV / AIDS vulnerability in the public in general and in these high-risk communities in particular.