Sex, Disease and Confusions Among Pakistan's Transgenders

The hijra(Transgender)community in Pakistan has a long history within the culture of the sub-continenet. Their roles have changed over the years, and with the current practices of commercial sex work among this group, they are at a great risk of both contracting and spreading many sexually transmitted diseases. Once held in high esteem, these caretakers of the king's harem are now socially excluded from many mainstream social activities. The present study looks into the knowledge, attitudes and practices of this community regarding various sexually transmitted infections.