Current evidence suggests that the risk of HIV transmission for prostitutes is more closely associated with intravenous drug use than involvement with multiple sexual clients. Further, the threat to prostitutes through sexual contact is greater in personal relationships than in paying ones. Intervention for this group must thus focus not only on risky sexual behavior but also on drug-related transmission. Various types of AIDS prevention programs for female prostitutes have been implemented including street outreach to teach safer drug use and safer sex techniques, similar types of outreach and workshops for organized sites, and voluntary HIV testing and counseling. Many of the outreach programs involve peer-led interventions delivered by ex-prostitutes or current prostitutes to facilitate the identification and recruitment of prostitutes into the programs and to improve communication between the research community and the targeted population. Given their current risk levels and the prevailing uncertainty regarding the future spread of the epidemic, female prostitutes warrant continuing prevention efforts and focused research on patterns and prevalence of infection. 75 references