This study examines the demographic characteristics of Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs), their awareness of HIV infection and purpose of commercial sex business in three major cities in Kogi State. To draw data, the study adopted the political delimitation of State into three Senatorial Districts - West, Central and East. Lokoja, Okene and Ankpa respectively, were chosen to reflect the social, demographic and economic criteria. Data were drawn majorly from qualitative sources through In-depth Interview of sampled CSWs. In each of the study sites, three hotels harbouring the CSWs, were sampled using systematic random sampling, making a total of 9 hotels in all the research locations. In each of the hotels, 6 CSWs were sampled based on rooms’ stratification, making a total of 56 In-depth Interviewees. Data were obtained with the use of an Unstructured Interview Guide (UIG) which contains mainly open ended and graduated questions divided into three sections: Demographic characteristics, HIV and general experience of sex work and preference of life outside sex work.

Findings show that majority of the CSWs were of reproductive age, large proportion ventured into commercial sex work because of the need to make ends meet and preferred to satisfy hunger which they think can kill earlier than HIV/AIDS which has a longer incubation period. About 68 percent of the CSWs will leave the job if they are given alternative gainful employment. Pragmatic empowerment programme through job creation will address the issue of CSWs in Nigeria among others.