scholarly journals The experiences of sex workers accessing HIV care services in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 593-602
Author(s):  
Idah Moyo ◽  
Margaret Macherera

Background: Although sub-Saharan African countries have rolled out massive HIV treatment and care programmes, there is little evidence of these having embraced key population groups particularly female sex workers. Due to the criminalisation of sex work in countries like Zimbabwe, research on HIV and its impact on this group is sparse. The absence of an enabling environment has hindered access to HIV care and treatment services for female sex workers. Objectives: To gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of female sex workers accessing HIV care and treatment services to enhance programming and planning for this key population group. Methods: This study was qualitative and phenomenological. Data saturation determined the sample size of 20 participants. Data was collected using in-depth interviews that were audio recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic content anal- ysis. Results: Our findings demonstrate varying dynamics between the private and public sector HIV care services for sex work- ers, with facilitators and barriers to access to care. Conclusion: Health workers need sensitization and training in the provision of differentiated care. For effective linkage to and retention in care an enabling environment is critical. Keywords: Linkage to care; retention in care; enabling environment; facilitators; barriers.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e0147662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Elizabeth Lancaster ◽  
Kimberly A. Powers ◽  
Thandie Lungu ◽  
Pearson Mmodzi ◽  
Mina C. Hosseinipour ◽  
...  

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahilin Sanchez Karver ◽  
Clare Barrington ◽  
Yeycy Donastorg ◽  
Martha Perez ◽  
Hoisex Gomez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite evidence on peer navigation’s association with positive HIV outcomes, such as engagement in HIV care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, the mechanisms through which peer navigation may influence these outcomes have been less explored. The purpose of this study is to describe the role of peer navigation and support on enhancing the quality of HIV treatment and care services experienced by female sex workers (FSWs). Methods Survey data was derived from a quantitative cohort (n = 211) of FSWs living with HIV in the Dominican Republic and complemented with data from two rounds of in-depth interviews (IDIs) from a qualitative subsample (n = 20 per round). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore the association between peer navigation and relational aspects of care and overall satisfaction of the quality of HIV treatment and care. Thematic analysis was employed to code and synthesize textual data from IDIs. Results 41.2% of the participants reported having had contact with a peer navigator in the last 6 months. Qualitative data revealed that peer navigation and support was instrumental in assisting FSWs linkage to HIV care after diagnosis, elevating FSWs’ ability to access more comprehensive clinical care facilities, and promoting agency by improving FSWs’ skills to more strategically and effectively engage with the clinic environment and health care providers. Peer navigation was positively associated with experiencing more respectful treatment by clinic staff (AOR: 6.65, 95% CI: 2.32–19.02), and greater satisfaction with overall HIV care services (AOR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.77–3.74). Conclusion Promoting the full integration of peer navigation into healthcare structures is a strategic approach to enhance the quality of HIV care experienced by FSWs and improve their HIV-related outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Lindman ◽  
◽  
Mamadu Aliu Djalo ◽  
Ansu Biai ◽  
Fredrik Månsson ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-257
Author(s):  
Lauren Parmley ◽  
Rebecca Fielding-Miller ◽  
Zandile Mnisi ◽  
Caitlin E Kennedy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gertrude Namale ◽  
Agnes Ssali ◽  
Onesmus Kamacooko ◽  
Daniel Bagiire ◽  
Yunia Mayanja ◽  
...  

2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Romans ◽  
Kathleen Potter ◽  
Judy Martin ◽  
Peter Herbison

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.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raluca Buzdugan ◽  
Shiva S. Halli ◽  
Jyoti M. Hiremath ◽  
Krishnamurthy Jayanna ◽  
T. Raghavendra ◽  
...  

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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dipak Suryawanshi ◽  
Varun Sharma ◽  
Niranjan Saggurti ◽  
Shalini Bharat

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. 593-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M Parcesepe ◽  
Kelly L L'Engle ◽  
Sandra L Martin ◽  
Sherri Green ◽  
Chirayath Suchindran ◽  
...  

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