The effectiveness of primary prevention activities in promoting safer sex has already been proven. Several studies have shown that prevention programs directed at people involved in prostitution can be very successful. Proceedings of an international workshop
The Brazilian ministry of Health recognized the need to engage a community-based organization in AIDS prevention among sex workers, and so turned to the Prostitution and Civil Rights Programme (PCRP) in Rio de Janeiro to produce educational materials.
From December 1988 to April 1989, 154 female prostitutes in and around Ghent, Belgium, were interviewed about their knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to the risks for STD and HIV infection in their profession.