Prostitution: the oldest tradeAn economic and health problemProstitution is by definition described as sexual intercourse in exchange for remuneration (Bhunu, CP and Mushayabasa, SS , 2012). Prostitution takes various forms: brothels, escorts, prostitution and street prostitution. Brothels are established buildings specifically dedicated to prostitution; Escort services may take place at the payer's home or hotel room, and street prostitution is usually seen in urban areas, on street corners. Women involved in prostitution are a source of concern from a public health and economic perspective (Murphy, 2010). The promiscuity involved in the life of prostitution creates a population at high risk for contract sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Research has shown that women involved in prostitution are considered to be at high risk of contracting STDs and HIV because they engage in sexual behaviors more frequently and with more partners than is typical in the population (Murphy, 2010 ). If promiscuity is a direct cause of higher rates of HIV among prostitutes, injection drug use also has a direct correlation. Research shows that twenty-five percent of all men in the United States have solicited a prostitute at some point in their lives (Murphy, 2010). Bhunu, CP and Mushayabasa, SS, found that HIV prevalence among female sex workers (prostitutes) varies widely, but in some countries it is more than twenty times higher than HIV prevalence in the general population. Prostitution is a social problem in itself; however there are other problems associated with entering prostitution. It is driven by a number of factors which are mainly peer pressure, homelessness, drug addiction and poverty, to name a few...... middle of article......l Of Biological Systems, 20(2), 1-174. Goode, E. (2011). Deviant Behavior (9th ed.). Prentice Hall.5. Monroe, J. (2005). Women in street prostitution: the result of poverty and the weight of inequality. Journal of Poverty, 9(3), 69-88. doi:10.1300/J134v09n03•6. Murphy, L. (2010). Understand the social and economic contexts surrounding women engaged in street prostitution. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 31(12), 775-784. doi:10.3109/01612840.2010.524345.7. Perry, T. (director). (2009). Madea goes to jail [Motion Picture].8. Post, D. (2011). THE LEGALIZATION OF PROSTITUTION IS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. National Lawyers Guild Review, 68(2), 65-108.9. Ţălnar, I. and Himcinschi, C. (2012). PHENOMENON OF PROSTITUTION – LEGAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS. Legal Current, 15(1), 101-11310. Weitzer, R. (2006). MORAL CROSS AGAINST PROSTITUTION. Company, 43(3), 33-38.