Violence & Vulnerability: A Cross Sectional Study of Prevalence and Factors Associated with Sex-work Related Violence among Female Sex Workers

Abstract

Introduction: Experiences from Targeted Intervention for a cohort of Female Sex Workers (FSWs) for the prevention & control of HIV/STI indicated that despite the high condom usage rate (94%), the incidence of STI/HIV remained high among FSWs. Feedback from peer-educators revealed violence as one of the key factors for the increased STI/HIV incidence among FSWs. Objective: To explore characteristics of violence and its associated factors associated among FSWs. Methods: A cross sectional survey among 200 FSWs from August 2010 to January 2011 was conducted by Gujarati and Hindi speaking interviewers. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assess the association of various factors and sex-work related violence among FSWs. Results: 27% (53/197) of FSWs had experienced sex work-related violence. Multivariate analysis revealed street versus home-based sex work (OR 2.84; 95% CI 1.33- 6.07), single living status (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.05 – 5.23), and sex-work with intoxicated clients (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.12 – 5.91) as risk factors associated with sex-work related violence. Conclusions: Violence among FSWs is significant with wide range of consequences for individuals coming in close contact with FSWs and also for population in general. Interventions to address the sex-related violence crisis among FSWs by involving all stakeholders are required.

Keywords

• HIV
• Female sex worker
• Domestic violence
• work based violence
• women