The incidence of HIV among Dublin's 300-500 female prostitutes is low, an Eastern Health Board worker told a conference of drug workers from Ireland, Britain and France yesterday.
Ms Mary O'Neill of the EHB's women's special project said that, "hopefully", free availability of condoms, and needles for intravenous drug use, is the reason. She said prostitution in Dublin is believed to be worth more than Pounds 10 million annually.
Ms O'Neill said women who inject drugs were stigmatised and isolated in Irish society and that dedicated HIV/AIDS services for women were essential in managing the disease.