The Impact of Sex Work on Psychological Wellbeing

A controversial type of profession undertaken by women is sex work or prostitution, always subjected to regulation by law or convention. Sex workers are often stigmatized, marginalized, and criminalized by the societies in which they live. The profession of sex work may impact on the psychological wellbeing of the workers. This study aims to explore the impact of sex work on the psychological wellbeing of female sex workers. Qualitative design was used as the research design. The study used a purposive sample of five female sex workers and semi-structured interviews as the key method of data collection. The questions of the semi-structured interview were developed along the six dimensions of Ryff’s Psychological wellbeing scales: Autonomy, Environmental mastery, Personal growth, Positive relations with others, Purpose in life, and Self-acceptance. The data were analyzed along these six dimensions using the thematic analysis method. The findings of the study show that there is considerable impact of sex work on the psychological wellbeing of female sex workers. The impact is mostly negative and were especially true for Ryff’s dimensions of autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth and self-acceptance

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Exploring the Impact of Underage Sex Work Among Female Sex Workers in Two Mexico–US Border Cities

AIDS and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10461-011-0063-3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 969-981 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Shira M. Goldenberg ◽

Gudelia Rangel ◽

Alicia Vera ◽

Thomas L. Patterson ◽

Daniela Abramovitz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Work ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex ◽

The Impact

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Modelling the impact of a sex work crackdown on syphilis transmission among female sex workers and their clients in South China

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2020-054497 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. sextrans-2020-054497

Author(s):

Ngai Sze Wong ◽

Kimberly A Powers ◽

Joseph D Tucker ◽

Shui Shan Lee ◽

Beng Tin Goh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Work ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Census Data ◽

Guangdong Province ◽

Condom Usage ◽

Female Sex ◽

Male Clients ◽

Diagnosis Rate ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveTo estimate the potential effects of an intense sex work crackdown on syphilis transmission in Guangdong Province, China.MethodsWe developed a deterministic compartmental model of syphilis transmission among female sex workers (FSW) and their male clients in Guangdong Province, China. We based model assumptions on census data and scientific literature, and we fitted the model to sentinel surveillance estimates of syphilis prevalence (positive results in both treponemal and non-treponemal tests) among FSW between 2009 and 2013. We estimated the impact of an intense sex work crackdown in 2014 by comparing the number of new syphilis infections between 2014 and 2020 in crackdown versus basecase (no crackdown) scenarios. In modelling scenarios, we examined main crackdown mechanisms of impact, including changed number of FSW engaging in sex work, reduction of weekly transactions, condom usage rate and syphilis diagnosis rate.ResultsIn the basecase, predicted syphilis prevalence in FSW decreased from 2% in 2014 to 0.4% in 2020. In crackdown scenarios, syphilis incidence was predicted to transiently decrease and then to rebound relative to basecase levels a few years later. Shorter crackdowns led to higher, faster rebounds.ConclusionsShort-term intense crackdowns may exacerbate syphilis transmission among FSW and further marginalise an already vulnerable group. This study provides a quantitative, infection-related basis for changing sex work policies to reduce harms.

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Factors associated with utilization of maternal health services by female sex workers in Uganda: a Health facility-based survey

10.21203/rs.2.12740/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Justine Bukenya ◽

Geraldine Barrett ◽

Frank Kaharuza ◽

David Guwatudde ◽

Rhoda K. Wanyenze

Keyword(s):

Maternal Health ◽

Sex Work ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Maternal Health Service ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Pregnancy Planning ◽

Female Sex ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Female sex workers (FSWs) are marginalized due to social rejection and stigma, especially in countries where the practice is illegal. Many FSWs are mothers but little is known about their utilization of maternal services. This study investigated the determinants of utilization of maternal services by FSWs in Uganda. Methods FSWs were recruited from the “Most at-Risk Initiative” clinics in Uganda. We analyzed data for 318 FSWs who had given birth within two years of the study to estimate the proportion of FSWs who used all the components of maternal services (antenatal, facility-based delivery and postnatal). The outcome variable (utilization of maternal services) was categorized as “recommended package” if the women received all the three services, “moderate” if they received any two and “limited/none” if they received only one or none of the services. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to quantify the impact of pregnancy planning and other factors on the utilization of maternal services. Results Overall, 25.2% (80) utilized all the three services in the recommended package of maternal services, 47.5% (151) had moderate utilization, while 27.3% (87) utilized limited or no services. Factors that influenced utilization of the recommended package compared to “limited/none” use were having a planned pregnancy (adjusted RRR (aRR) = 3.87; 95% CI = 1.40-10.67), knowing four as the minimum number of ANC visits (aRR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.22-4.87), never having been criminalized for sex work (aRR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.30-4.74) and not believing that health providers deny services to FSWs believing (aRR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.37-5.07). Conclusion These findings confirm the relevance of pregnancy planning in the utilization of maternal services among FSWs. However, maternal health service utilization was generally low and interventions to reduce barriers including inadequate knowledge of ANC visits, internal stigma and criminalization of sex work are required. These are necessary steps in the move towards universal health coverage.

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Crimes Against Morality: Unintended Consequences of Criminalizing Sex Work*

The Quarterly Journal of Economics ◽

10.1093/qje/qjaa032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (1) ◽

pp. 427-469

Author(s):

Lisa Cameron ◽

Jennifer Seager ◽

Manisha Shah

Keyword(s):

Sex Work ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Unintended Consequences ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Female Sex ◽

Before And After ◽

Biological Tests ◽

Local Officials ◽

The Impact

Abstract We examine the impact of criminalizing sex work, exploiting an event in which local officials unexpectedly criminalized sex work in one district in East Java, Indonesia, but not in neighboring districts. We collect data from female sex workers and their clients before and after the change. We find that criminalization increases sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers by 58 percent, measured by biological tests. This is driven by decreased condom access and use. We also find evidence that criminalization decreases earnings among women who left sex work due to criminalization and decreases their ability to meet their children’s school expenses while increasing the likelihood that children begin working to supplement household income. Although criminalization has the potential to improve population STI outcomes if the market shrinks permanently, we show that five years postcriminalization the market has rebounded and the probability of STI transmission in the general population is likely to have increased.

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

Global Perspectives on Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Across the Lifecourse ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-60417-6_12 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 191-212

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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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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