“In Zimbabwe there is nothing for us”: sex work and vulnerability of HIV infection among male sex workers in Zimbabwe

Qiao, Shan; Tsang, Eileen Yuk-ha; Wilkinson, Jeffrey S.; Lipeleke, Freddy; Li, Xiaoming

doi:10.1080/09540121.2019.1574334

Cited by 15 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Our findings indicate that violence abuse is a significant risk factor for HIV/STIs infections in FSWs population. Consistent with studies in Zimbabwe [28] , Swaziland [29] , American [30] , our results suggest that efforts to reduce violence are a key component of STI/HIV prevention and control in this vulnerable population. Violence Abuse from FSW clients has little studied in China or in other parts of the world.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

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Inequalities in socioeconomic status, behaviors, healthcare services and vulnerability to HIV/STIs between brothel-based and street-based female sex workers in Yunnan, China

Cai

Yu-fen

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BackgroundCommercial sex plays a critical role in the transmission of HIV/STI infections in mainland China because female sex workers (FSWs), who tend to be either street-based (SSWs) or brothel-based (BSWs), are extremely prevalent. These two groups had different behaviors and treatment. Few studies investigated due to SSWs group is difficult to reach. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in Yunnan Province of China with 129 street-based and 185 brothel-based participants. Peer educators conducted anonymous, face-to-face interviews to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, HIV/STIs-related knowledge, sex work history, sex behaviours, experience of receiving healthcare service, and experience of abuse from clients. Blood samples were taken for HIV and syphilis testing. Urine samples were taken for gonorrhoea and chlamydia testing. ResultsSignificant differences on socio-economic characters and HIV/STIs prevalence are found between the two types of FSWs. SSWs are older than BSWs; have less education, more dependents, and more clients in one week; receive less healthcare services; and have a higher prevalence of HIV/STIs. Binary logistic regression model results showed that venue for sex trade and experience of HIV testing were significantly associated with the prevalence of HIV/STIs ConclusionsThe SSWs are at lower socio-economic status and have high HIV/STIs mobility, who are more marginalized, receive less healthcare and are, thus, more vulnerable. China’s next step in healthcare intervention should focus on the most hard-to-reach-marginalised groups. HIV/STIs testing and socio-psychological support programmes are urgent needed for these neglected people.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…This study was conducted between August and September 2010, in Lingxiang County of Yunnan province, southeast China. Yunnan province has one of the highest HIV prevalence in China, Lingxiang County being one of the epidemic centres [28] . Four FSW peer educators working for an NGO were recruited into the study team.…”

Section: Study Site and Field Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inequalities in socioeconomic status, behaviors, healthcare services and vulnerability to HIV/STIs between brothel-based and street-based female sex workers in Yunnan, China

Cai

Yu-fen

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, the stigma and criminalization of substance use, sex work and same‐sex practices contributes to negative interactions between police and key populations, and in particular MSM, transgender, sex worker and PWID communities. These interactions include arbitrary arrests, violence and sexual abuse of key populations by law enforcement officers [77]. Such negative interactions place key populations at the margins of healthcare and legal justice systems – driving them further away from attaining services that promote their legal protection, health and well‐being.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of the epidemiological conditions of HIV among key populations in Africa

Jin¹,

Restar²,

Beyrer³

2021

J Int AIDS Soc

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Introduction Despite extraordinary progress in HIV treatment coverage and expanding access to HIV prevention services and that multiple African countries are on track in their efforts to reach 90‐90‐90 goals, the epidemic continues to persist, with prevalence and incidence rates too high in some parts of the continent to achieve epidemic control. While data sources are improving, and research studies on key populations in specific contexts have improved, work on understanding the HIV burdens and barriers to services for these populations remains sparse, uneven and absent altogether in multiple settings. More data have become available in the last several years, and data published in 2010 or more recently are reviewed here for each key population. This scoping review assesses the current epidemiology of HIV among key populations in Africa and the social and political environments that contribute to the epidemic, both of which suggest that without significant policy reform, these epidemics will likely continue. Results and discussion Across Africa, the HIV epidemic is most severe among key populations including women and men who sell or trade sex, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, transgender women who have sex with men and prisoners and detainees. These groups account for the majority of new infections in West and Central Africa, and an estimated 25% of new infections in East and Southern Africa, despite representing relatively small proportions of those populations. The HIV literature in Africa emphasizes that despite significant health needs, key populations experience barriers to accessing services within the healthcare and legal justice systems. Current shortcomings of surveillance systems in enumerating key populations impact the way funding mechanisms and resources are allocated and distributed. Adapting more equitable and epidemiologically sound frameworks will be necessary for current and future HIV programming investments. Conclusions Through this review, the available literature on HIV epidemiology among key populations in Africa brings to light a number of surveillance, programmatic and research gaps. For many communities, interventions targeting the health and security conditions continue to be minimal. Compelling evidence suggests that sweeping policy and programmatic changes are needed to effectively tackle the persistent HIV epidemic in Africa.

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“…The reasons given for drug use included pleasure and escape. Drugs were credited with helping them deal with the stress of being a TSW in Chinese society [ 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Sisterhood of Hope: How China’s Transgender Sex Workers Cope with Intimate Partner Violence

Tsang

2020

IJERPH

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Transgender sex workers (TSWs/TSW) face considerable challenges that affect their mental health and make their situations more vulnerable and precarious. TSWs often experience violence from clients, police, and others, but it is estimated that 50% of these acts of violence are at the hands of their intimate partners. The marginalization of TSWs is fueled by abuse through isolation and shaming which prevents them from seeking help through formal channels like police or counselling services. There is limited research on intimate partner violence (IPV) involving transgender sex workers (biologically male at birth who transition to women) and their partners who are typically heterosexual/bisexual men. In China, stigmatization, homophobia, heterosexism, and transphobia structurally disadvantage TSWs and this power structure tacitly supports violence and abuse against them. To survive, TSWs rely on informal networks with their ‘sisters’ for advice and emotional support which is more effective at combatting IPV than criminal justice or social policy efforts. Ethnographic data from in-depth interviews with 25 TSWs provide insight about IPV and how informal social support is a protective factor that helps them cope with routine acts of violence. The findings identify the importance of the ‘sisterhood’ and how it protects and helps TSWs manage their physical and mental health.

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“In Zimbabwe there is nothing for us”: sex work and vulnerability of HIV infection among male sex workers in Zimbabwe

Cited by 15 publications

References 7 publications

Inequalities in socioeconomic status, behaviors, healthcare services and vulnerability to HIV/STIs between brothel-based and street-based female sex workers in Yunnan, China

Inequalities in socioeconomic status, behaviors, healthcare services and vulnerability to HIV/STIs between brothel-based and street-based female sex workers in Yunnan, China

Overview of the epidemiological conditions of HIV among key populations in Africa

A Sisterhood of Hope: How China’s Transgender Sex Workers Cope with Intimate Partner Violence

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