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Ranjit YS, Basnyat I, Joshi O, Khoshnood K, Fisher CB. Sharing Culture and Management of Sex Work Information on Mobile Phones by Female Sex Workers in Nepal: Implications for mHealth Practice and Research. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38836353 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2363617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Female sex workers (FSWs) in Nepal continue to be disproportionately at risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Due to stigma related to sex work and HIV, FSWs keep their sex work information hidden, which poses a barrier to seeking health services. Emerging research indicates a high uptake of mobile phones among FSWs in Nepal. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions can provide health information and linkage to care. However, largely missing from the literature is FSWs' experience of managing the information about their involvement in sex work in a culture where sharing personal information and belongings is a part of the social norm, and maintaining privacy could have negative social repercussions. The current study aims to understand how FSWs perceive and manage privacy when they share their mobile phones. Using the Communication Privacy Management theory, we explore FSWs' perception of the threat to their privacy posed by mobile phones. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews among FSWs in Kathmandu, Nepal. Results showed that all participants owned mobile phones, and sharing devices was common. Mobile phones pose a considerable challenge in keeping sex work information private, and FSWs use various communication strategies to circumvent privacy threats. The findings highlight the mental and emotional burden FSWs face trying to conceal their private information in a sharing culture. The study discusses the importance of theorizing privacy in the cultural context of the Global South and the practical implications for developing mHealth interventions for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iccha Basnyat
- Global Affairs Program & Department of Communication, George Mason University
| | | | | | - Celia B Fisher
- Research Ethics and Training Institute, Fordham University
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Juraschek E, Legg A, Raghavan C. The Reconsecration of the Self: A Qualitative Analysis of Sex Trafficking Survivors' Experience of the Body. Violence Against Women 2024; 30:1842-1865. [PMID: 38505932 DOI: 10.1177/10778012241239948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The understudied bodily harm women experience after commercial sex (CS) may be partially explained by the prominence of Cartesian mind-body dualism in psychological science. Accordingly, we qualitatively explored the mind-body relationship among 79 female sex trafficking survivors. Survivors reported long-term negative alterations in feelings about the body, sex, and physical touch posttrafficking and these negative outcomes did not differ across women who self-perceived as consenting and women who self-perceived as forced. Implications for future research are presented, particularly on measuring dehumanization in CS which contributes to extensive harm even in the absence of physical aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Juraschek
- Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Legg
- Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chitra Raghavan
- Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, USA
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Zhai P, Liu H, Zhang Y, Huang T, Xiong C, Liu Y, Wang G, Chen X, Tan J, Jiao C, Zhan J, Cheng J. Correlation analysis between sleep quality and the mental health status of female sex workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei Province. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1193266. [PMID: 37529609 PMCID: PMC10388539 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1193266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Female sex workers (FSWs) in entertainment venues are subject to condemnation and rejection by their families and the outside world. As a result, they are prone to psychological problems, including anxiety and even suicidal tendencies. The aim of the current study was to understand the sleep and mental health status of local FSWs and to identify associated risk factors, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving the social recognition of FSWs and establishing effective psychological interventions. Methods A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select women engaged in commercial sex in bathing, sauna, karaoke halls and other entertainment venues. A self-designed questionnaire assessing mental health-related factors was administered face-to-face with the respondents. 90 participants were randomly selected for blood tests to analyze the relationship between biological indicators and sleep quality. Results The rates of depression, anxiety and somnipathy among FSWs were 32.7%, 43.1% and 8.6%, respectively. The correlation coefficients (r) between sleep quality and depression, anxiety and social support were 0.07, 0.09 and -0.09, respectively. Divorce or widowhood, technical secondary school education, alcohol consumption and exercise were independent risk factors for depression in FSWs (p< 0.05) while living in urban areas and counties and having a sense of social support were protective factors (P< 0.05). Quarantining due to the pandemic and exercise were independent risk factors for anxiety in FSWs (P< 0.05) while living in counties and having a sense of social support were protective factors (P< 0.05). Quarantining due to the pandemic was an independent risk factor for somnipathy in FSWs (P< 0.05) while being married was a protective factor (P< 0.05). NE/NA was a protective factor for sleep disorders (OR=0.042, P=0.05), with an AUC of 0.87. Conclusion FSWs should appropriately adjust their work form during the pandemic period, maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, establish long-term stable social relationships, and seek a greater sense of social support. The government should provide comprehensive bio-psycho-social interventions to address the mental and physical health status of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyong Zhai
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Institute of Health Inspection and Testing, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yutong Zhang
- Division of infectious disease, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Institute for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Huanggang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huanggang, China
| | - Change Xiong
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guiping Wang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jianhua Tan
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chengjun Jiao
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jianbo Zhan
- Institute of Health Inspection and Testing, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Sadeghi-Bahmani D, Parhoon H, Esmaeili M, Parhoon K, Sadeghi Bahmani L, Khazaie H, Becker SP, Burns GL, Brand S. Validation of the Farsi Version of the Adult Concentration Inventory for Assessing Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4607. [PMID: 37510724 PMCID: PMC10380426 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12144607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The internal and external validity of cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) relative to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-inattention (ADHD-IN) was evaluated herein with Farsi-speaking adults. A total of 837 Iranian adults assessed throughout the whole country (54.72% women, Mage = 23.85; SD = 7.05; age range = 18 to 58 years; 75% between 18 and 24 years old; reporting higher educational training) completed self-report measures of CDS, ADHD-IN, ADHD-hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI), depression, anxiety, and stress. Seven of the fifteen CDS symptoms showed a good convergent (high loadings on the CDS factor) and discriminant (higher loadings on the CDS factor than the ADHD-IN factor) validity. CDS also showed stronger first-order and unique associations with depression than ADHD-IN, whereas ADHD-IN showed stronger first-order and unique associations with ADHD-HI and anxiety than CDS. The first-order and unique associations of CDS and ADHD-IN did not differ in relation to stress. This study is the first to support the validity of the self-report of assessing CDS symptoms with the Adult Concentration Inventory with Farsi-speaking individuals residing in Iran, thus further strengthening the transcultural validity of the CDS, and paving the way for further transcultural research in the field of CDS among adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hadi Parhoon
- Department of Psychology, Razi University, Kermanshah 6714414971, Iran;
| | - Maryam Esmaeili
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 8174673441, Iran;
| | - Kamal Parhoon
- Department of Psychology, Kharazmi University, Tehran 1571914911, Iran;
| | - Laleh Sadeghi Bahmani
- Department of Education and Psychology, Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani University, Isfahan 8179949999, Iran;
| | - Habibolah Khazaie
- Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah 6714415185, Iran;
| | - Stephen P. Becker
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - G. Leonard Burns
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA;
| | - Serge Brand
- Center for Affective, Sleep and Stress Disorders, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland;
- Division of Sport Science and Psychosocial Health, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4052 Basel, Switzerland
- Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah 6714415185, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran 1441987566, Iran
- Center for Disaster Psychiatry and Disaster Psychology, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
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Grosso A, Fielding-Miller R, Matse S, Sithole B, Baral S. The relationship between underage initiation of selling sex and depression among female sex workers in Eswatini. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1048703. [PMID: 37435406 PMCID: PMC10331471 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1048703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Minors who sell sex are likely to have complex mental health needs that may persist into adulthood. This topic is understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. This study hypothesized that adult female sex workers in Eswatini who started selling sex as minors have a higher prevalence of depression than those who started as adults. We also examined correlates of depression and underage initiation of selling sex, including stigma and condom-related behaviors. Methods From October-December 2014, women aged 18 or older who sold sex in the past 12 months in Eswatini were recruited through venue-based sampling. Participants completed a survey including the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and a question about the age at which they first sold sex for money. T-tests, χ2 tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess associations. Results Overall, 43.1% of participants (332/770) had probable depression, and 16.6% (128/770) started selling sex as minors under the age of 18. Over half (55.5%, 71/128) of those who started selling sex as minors had depression. This was significantly higher than the 40.7% (261/642) prevalence of depression among participants who started selling sex as adults (p = 0.002). After adjusting for confounders, female sex workers who started selling sex as minors had higher odds of depression than those who started as adults (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.70, 95% confidence interval 1.11-2.60). Conclusion Results highlight the need for trauma-informed and adolescent-friendly mental health services in settings free of stigma toward female sex workers in Eswatini.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Grosso
- Center for Population Behavioral Health, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
- Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Rebecca Fielding-Miller
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Bhekie Sithole
- Health Communication Capacity Collaborative, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Degenhardt L, Webb P, Colledge-Frisby S, Ireland J, Wheeler A, Ottaviano S, Willing A, Kairouz A, Cunningham EB, Hajarizadeh B, Leung J, Tran LT, Price O, Peacock A, Vickerman P, Farrell M, Dore GJ, Hickman M, Grebely J. Epidemiology of injecting drug use, prevalence of injecting-related harm, and exposure to behavioural and environmental risks among people who inject drugs: a systematic review. THE LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2023; 11:e659-e672. [PMID: 36996857 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00057-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs are exposed to various and changing risk environments and are at risk of multiple harms related to injecting drug use (IDU). We aimed to undertake a global systematic review of the prevalence of IDU, key IDU-related harms (including HIV, hepatitis C virus [HCV], and hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection and overdose), and key sociodemographic characteristics and risk exposures for people who inject drugs. METHODS We systematically searched for data published between Jan 1, 2017, and March 31, 2022, in databases of peer-reviewed literature (MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO) and grey literature as well as various agency or organisational websites, and disseminated data requests to international experts and agencies. We searched for data on the prevalence, characteristics, and risks of people who inject drugs, including gender, age, sexuality, drug-use patterns, HIV, HCV, and HBV infections, non-fatal overdose, depression, anxiety, and injecting-related disease. Additional data were extracted from studies identified in our previous review. Meta-analyses were used to pool the data where multiple estimates were available for a country. We present country, regional, and global estimates for each variable examined. FINDINGS We screened 40 427 reports published between 2017 and 2022, and the 871 eligible reports identified were added to the 1147 documents from the previous review. Evidence of IDU was documented in 190 of 207 countries and territories, and 14·8 million people (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 10·0-21·7) aged 15-64 years globally were estimated to inject drugs. Existing evidence suggests that there might be 2·8 million (95% UI 2·4-3·2) women and 12·1 million (95% UI 11·0-13·3) men who inject drugs globally, and that 0·4% (95% CI 0·3-1·3) of people who inject drugs identify as transgender. The amount of available data on key health and social risks among people who inject drugs varied widely across countries and regions. We estimated that 24·8% (95% CI 19·5-31·6) of people who inject drugs globally had experienced recent homelessness or unstable housing, 58·4% (95% CI 52·0-64·8) had a lifetime history of incarceration, and 14·9% (95% CI 8·1-24·3) had recently engaged in sex work, with substantial geographical variation. Injecting and sexual risk behaviour varied considerably geographically, as did risks of harms. Globally, we estimated that 15·2% (95% CI 10·3-20·9) of people who inject drugs are living with HIV, 38·8% (95% CI 31·4-46·9) have current HCV infection, 18·5% (95% CI 13·9-24·1) have recently overdosed, and 31·7% (95% CI 23·6-40·5) have had a recent skin or soft tissue infection. INTERPRETATION IDU is being identified in a growing number of countries and territories that comprise more than 99% of the global population. IDU-related health harms are common, and people who inject drugs continue to be exposed to multiple adverse risk environments. However, quantification of many of these exposure and harms is inadequate and must be improved to allow for better targeting of harm-reduction interventions for these risks. FUNDING Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Paige Webb
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; National Drug Research Institute Melbourne, Curtin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeremy Ireland
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alice Wheeler
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sophie Ottaviano
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alex Willing
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Abe Kairouz
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Evan B Cunningham
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Janni Leung
- National Centre For Youth Substance Use Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Lucy T Tran
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivia Price
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Ikuteyijo OO, Akinyemi AI, Merten S. Exposure to job-related violence among young female sex workers in urban slums of Southwest Nigeria. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1021. [PMID: 35597935 PMCID: PMC9123769 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13440-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Nigeria, many young girls are engaged in commercial sex work as a means of livelihood and support of dependent relatives. Although studies have documented some of the violence related issues among commercial sex workers, the plight of adolescent and young sex workers particularly in urban slums may be different in context and depth. Objective This study explored the lived experiences of violence and health related harm among vulnerable young female sex workers in urban slums in Ibadan and Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. It also analyzed their coping strategies and survival mechanisms. Design The study is cross-sectional and applied an interpretive phenomenological approach to this qualitative study through in-depth interviews. Participants Young female sex workers ages (15–24 years) who reported having experienced violence were recruited for the study. Twelve participants completed the interviews out the 20 initially contacted. Data collection and analysis Primary data were collected using in-depth interviews (IDIs). Data were transcribed using a phenomenological framework analysis. Participants’ reports based on life experiences were identified: lived experience “daily brothel life experience”; sources of violence such as law enforcement agents’ intermittent raids; violence experience with clients who often demanded sexual acts beyond the agreed scope; and coping strategies employed to mitigate the challenges. Settings The study was conducted in brothels of two selected slum areas in Ibadan and Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Results The results showed that the major motivation for engaging in commercial sex work was for economic reasons. However, there are inherent risks involved particularly for the vulnerable young people. Stigmatization from the community, clients’ uncontrolled-aggressive behavior and harassment from law enforcement agents are some of the frequent violence experiences reported. Self-help coping strategies are usually employed to prevent or mitigate the challenges. Conclusion The plight of this young people required policy and program attention towards alternative economic empowerment to rehabilitate those willing to leave the profession. Also the need to develop arm reduction interventions towards protection of young sex workers against violence. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13440-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olutoyin Opeyemi Ikuteyijo
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Kreuzstrasse 2, Allschwil, 4123, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Akanni Ibukun Akinyemi
- Department of Demography and Social Statistics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria
| | - Sonja Merten
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Kreuzstrasse 2, Allschwil, 4123, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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