A profile of HIV risk factors in the context of sex work environments among migrant female sex workers in Beijing, China

Background This study aims to understand the correlates of anal sex practices among female sex workers (FSWs) and examine the association of anal sex with HIV-related sexual risk factors in Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods: A cross-sectional behavioural survey was conducted in 2011 among 795 FSWs aged 18 years or older. Probability-based cluster sampling was used to select respondents from sex work hotspots. Results: One-quarter (23%) of FSWs had practiced anal sex in the last year. The odds of practicing anal sex were higher among FSWs aged 35 years or more than in those aged less than 25 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.05, P < 0.05), in those formerly married compared to those currently married (AOR: 1.88, P < 0.01), in those having an income only from sex work compared to those having additional sources of income (AOR: 1.54, P < 0.05), those reporting heavy alcohol consumption compared to those who did not (AOR: 2.80, P < 0.01) and those who experienced violence compared to those who had not (AOR: 2.80, P < 0.01). FSWs practicing anal sex were more likely to experience sexually transmissible infection (STI) related symptoms than those practicing only vaginal sex. There was no association between anal sex practice and condom use. Conclusions: Anal sex is associated with STI symptoms, a factor for HIV risk. HIV intervention programmes need to educate FSWs about the risks associated with anal sex.

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MOTIVATIONS FOR ENTRY INTO SEX WORK AND HIV RISK AMONG MOBILE FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN INDIA

Journal of Biosocial Science ◽

10.1017/s0021932011000277 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 43 (5) ◽

pp. 535-554 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

NIRANJAN SAGGURTI ◽

RAVI K. VERMA ◽

SHIVA S. HALLI ◽

SUVAKANTA N. SWAIN ◽

RAJENDRA SINGH ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Work ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Economic Conditions ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Inconsistent Condom ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Female Sex ◽

Family Tradition

SummaryThis paper assesses the reasons for entry into sex work and its association with HIV risk behaviours among mobile female sex workers (FSWs) in India. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 22 districts across four high HIV prevalence states in India during 2007–2008. Analyses were limited to 5498 eligible mobile FSWs. The reasons given by FSWs for entering sex work and associations with socio-demographic characteristics were assessed. Reported reasons for entering sex work include poor or deprived economic conditions; negative social circumstances in life; own choice; force by an external person; and family tradition. The results from multivariate analyses indicate that those FSWs who entered sex work due to poor economic conditions or negative social circumstances in life or force demonstrated elevated levels of current inconsistent condom use as well as in the past in comparison with those FSWs who reported entering sex work by choice or family tradition. This finding indicates the need for a careful assessment of the pre-entry contexts among HIV prevention interventions since these factors may continue to hinder the effectiveness of efforts to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in India and elsewhere.

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From Violence to Sex Work: Agency, Escaping Violence, and HIV Risk Among Establishment-Based Female Sex Workers in Tijuana, Mexico

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care ◽

10.1016/j.jana.2013.03.002 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 368-382 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Shonali M. Choudhury ◽

Debbie Anglade ◽

Kyuwon Park

Keyword(s):

Sex Work ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex

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Occupational safety and HIV risk among female sex workers in China: A mixed-methods analysis of sex-work harms and mommies

Global Public Health ◽

10.1080/17441692.2012.662991 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. 840-855 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Huso Yi ◽

Tiantian Zheng ◽

Yanhai Wan ◽

Joanne E. Mantell ◽

Minah Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Sex Work ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Female Sex

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The Mental and Physical Health of Female Sex Workers: A Comparative Study

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.00857.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 75-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Sarah E. Romans ◽

Kathleen Potter ◽

Judy Martin ◽

Peter Herbison

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Physical Health ◽

Sex Work ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Female Sex ◽

Mental And Physical Health

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the mental and physical health, adult abuse experiences and social networks of female sex workers with data previously collected from two large community samples of age-matched women. Method: A convenience sample of sex workers were interviewed and completed two wellestablished questionnaires, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Intimate Bond Measure (IBM). Sex workers were invited to reflect on their experiences of their work. Results: There were no differences in mental health on the GHQ-28 or in self-esteem (measured by an item on the Present State Examination) between the two groups. Neither were there any differences in their assessment of their physical health or the quality of their social networks. Sex workers were less likely to be married and had been exposed to more adult physical and sexual abuse than the comparison group. They were more likely to smoke and to drink heavily when they drank. One-third said that their general practitioner was not aware of their work. A subgroup not working with regular clients or in a massage parlour had higher GHQ-28 scores and may be an at-risk group. Narrative information about the work, particularly its intermittent nature, is presented. Conclusions: No evidence was found that sex work and increased adult psychiatric morbidity are inevitably associated, although there may be subgroups of workers with particular problems. The illegal and stigmatized nature of sex work are likely to make usual public health strategies more difficult to apply, considerations which should give concern from a preventive health standpoint.

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The Female Sex Work Industry in a District of India in the Context of HIV Prevention

AIDS Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2012/371482 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Raluca Buzdugan ◽

Shiva S. Halli ◽

Jyoti M. Hiremath ◽

Krishnamurthy Jayanna ◽

T. Raghavendra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Work ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Work Setting ◽

Vulnerability Factors ◽

Modes Of Operation ◽

Sex Worker ◽

Work Settings ◽

Female Sex ◽

Female Sex Work

HIV prevalence in India remains high among female sex workers. This paper presents the main findings of a qualitative study of the modes of operation of female sex work in Belgaum district, Karnataka, India, incorporating fifty interviews with sex workers. Thirteen sex work settings (distinguished by sex workers' main places of solicitation and sex) are identified. In addition to previously documented brothel, lodge, street,dhaba(highway restaurant), and highway-based sex workers, under-researched or newly emerging sex worker categories are identified, including phone-based sex workers, parlour girls, and agricultural workers. Women working in brothels, lodges,dhabas, and on highways describe factors that put them at high HIV risk. Of these,dhabaand highway-based sex workers are poorly covered by existing interventions. The paper examines the HIV-related vulnerability factors specific to each sex work setting. The modes of operation and HIV-vulnerabilities of sex work settings identified in this paper have important implications for the local programme.

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FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIKELIHOOD OF FURTHER MOVEMENT AMONG MOBILE FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN INDIA: A MULTINOMIAL LOGIT APPROACH

Journal of Biosocial Science ◽

10.1017/s0021932015000267 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 539-556 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dipak Suryawanshi ◽

Varun Sharma ◽

Niranjan Saggurti ◽

Shalini Bharat

Keyword(s):

Sex Work ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Sexual Coercion ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Multinomial Logit ◽

Consistent Condom ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Female Sex

SummaryFemale sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to HIV infection. Their socioeconomic and behavioural vulnerabilities are crucial push factors for movement for sex work. This paper assesses the factors associated with the likelihood of movement of sex workers from their current place of work. Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey conducted among 5498 mobile FSWs in 22 districts of high in-migration across four states in southern India. A multinomial logit model was constructed to predict the likelihood of FSWs moving from their current place of work. Ten per cent of the sampled mobile FSWs were planning to move from their current place of sex work. Educational attainment, marital status, income at current place of work, debt, sexual coercion, experience of violence and having tested for HIV and collected the results were found to be significant predictors of the likelihood of movement from the current place of work. Consistent condom use with different clients was significantly low among those planning to move. Likewise, the likelihood of movement was significantly higher among those who had any STI symptom in the last six months and those who had a high self-perceived risk of HIV. The findings highlight the need to address factors associated with movement among mobile FSWs as part of HIV prevention and access to care interventions.

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