Mental Health and HIV-Related High-Risk Behaviors Among Female Sex Workers

Lari, Mahmood Amini; Bagheri, Pezhman; Fm, Ameli

doi:10.17795/semj22326

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Despite these occupational stressors, mental health of female sex workers (FSWs) is understudied [ 4 ]. The most relevant data on the mental health of this population come from studies assessing the mental health of FSWs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most relevant data on the mental health of this population come from studies assessing the mental health of FSWs. Available evidence suggests that FSWs experience worse mental health outcomes than the general public such as high rates of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychological distress [ 4 – 7 ]. These poor mental health outcomes have been associated with experiences of violence, childhood trauma, drug addiction, and the experience of stigma as reported in a review of the literature [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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HIV risk and psychological distress among female entertainment workers in Cambodia: a cross-sectional study

Brody

Chhoun²,

Tuot³

et al. 2015

BMC Public Health

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BackgroundIn Cambodia, there has been an increase in entertainment work as a result of the breakdown of the traditional brothel-based sex industry, presenting new challenges to addressing the health issues and needs of people working in the entertainment industry. This study aims to identify factors associated with psychological distress among female entertainment workers (FEWs) in Cambodia.MethodsA two-stage cluster sampling method was used to randomly select 657 FEWs from entertainment establishments in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in April and May 2014 for interviews using a structured questionnaire. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.ResultsAlmost half of FEWs (43.2 %) had a higher level of psychological distress (GHQ-12 > 3), while 19.5 % reported having suicidal thoughts, and 7.3 % reported having attempted to commit suicide in the past 3 months. Controlling for confounding factors, women with a higher level of psychological distress were significantly more likely to rate their overall health (AOR = 1.88, 95 % CI 1.20 to 2.94) and quality of life (AOR = 2.39, 95 % CI 1.47 to 3.87) as poor. They were also significantly more likely to have suicidal ideation (AOR = 2.41, 95 % CI 1.45 to 3.76), rate their HIV risk as higher than the general population (AOR = 0.48, 95 % CI 0.31 to 0.74), have been forced to drink at work (AOR = 1.77, 95 % CI 1.19 to 2.62), have had clients requesting not to use a condom (AOR = 3.48, 95 % CI 1.14 to 10.62), be not able to find condoms when they needed it (AOR = 0.64, 95 % CI 0.45 to 0.93), have had a family member who said hurtful things to them during childhood (AOR = 1.84, 95 % CI 1.24 to 2.75), and have had a parent or guardian who had been physically abused (AOR = 1.93, 95 % CI 1.34 to 2.82).ConclusionsFEWs in Cambodia experience high levels of psychological distress, which likely stems from both past negative experiences and current working conditions. For women that are experiencing psychological distress, intervention programs aimed at improving mental health should specifically address substance use, condom availability and negotiation skills, and suicide risk.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV risk and psychological distress among female entertainment workers in Cambodia: a cross-sectional study

Brody

Chhoun²,

Tuot³

et al. 2015

BMC Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In this study, drug use was a predictor of mental health in the women. The study by Amini-Lari et al showed that the psychosocial status in the female sex workers was worse than that in the control group, and also the drug use had a significant relationship with mental health (31). The study of Hengartner et al aimed at evaluating the mental health in the female sex workers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health and its Relationship With Social Support in Iranian Women With High-Risk Sexual Behaviors

Amani

Ebrahimi

Mirghafourvand

et al. 2018

International Journal of Women’s Health and Reproduction Scienc

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Objectives: The violence and prostitution are examples of the stressors in the women with high-risk sexual behaviors and can create a psychological crisis in these women. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of mental health with social support in the women with high -risk sexual behaviors visiting drop-in centers (DICs) in Tabriz, Iran, in 2017. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 149 women with high-risk sexual behaviors, visiting three DICs in Tabriz, Iran. The sampling was purposive and non-random. Data were collected using socio-demographic characteristics, social support (PRQ-part 85), and mental health (GHQ-28) questionnaires. A test of multivariate linear regression was performed to identify a number of mental health determinants and explanation of variance. Results: The mental health score was 50.7 (18.2), the score ranged from 0-84. The best status belonged to depression subscale [10.5 (7.1)] and the worst status belonged to social dysfunction subscale [14.6 (4.5)]. The mental health and its subscales had a significant relationship with social support (P<0.001, R= -0.55 to -0.33). The variables of social support, drug use, and spousal violence were able to predict 35.4% of mental health variance in the women. Conclusions: According to the results, appropriate strategies are needed to promote social protection and mental health in the women with high-risk sexual behaviors in order to reduce the sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV/AIDS in the society.

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Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of female entertainment workers in Cambodia: a group model building approach

Chua,

Ansah,

Tep

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has intensified global mental health challenges, particularly for vulnerable groups like female entertainment workers (FEWs), a critical HIV-affected population in Cambodia. Already facing pre-existing inequalities, FEWs encountered heightened difficulties due to the pandemic’s disruption of their livelihoods. Their susceptibility to mental health problems is exacerbated by poverty and the occupational stressors they regularly endure. This study aims to identify COVID-19-related factors adversely impacting the mental well-being of FEWs in Cambodia and explore potential interventions to mitigate these effects.MethodsIn December 2021, we conducted a two-day workshop in Phnom Penh using a group model-building approach with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to gather collective insights. We employed the qualitative system dynamics method of causal loop diagram mapping to visualize the factors affecting FEWs’ mental health. Based on participants’ perceptions and experiences, we constructed a causal loop diagram to develop a comprehensive systems perspective.ResultsThe workshop involved 27 stakeholders, including representatives from national institutions (n = 3), local NGOs (n = 17), an international NGO (n = 1), and the FEW community (n = 6). Our analysis identified 13 feedback loops highlighting key factors influencing the mental well-being of FEWs during the pandemic. These factors included the loss of family members, financial instability, fear of COVID-19 infection, the pressure of children’s homeschooling due to school closures, and food insecurity. In response, stakeholders proposed a range of interventions, including alternative vocational training, increased awareness of mental health issues, access to mental health services, and programs targeting gender-based violence within FEW communities.ConclusionA collaborative, multi-sectoral approach is crucial to addressing the mental health challenges of FEWs in Cambodia. Prioritizing the establishment of accessible, affordable, and high-quality mental health services, alongside the implementation of targeted interventions, is essential to mitigate the negative mental health impacts of the pandemic and enhance the overall well-being of FEWs.

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Mental Health and HIV-Related High-Risk Behaviors Among Female Sex Workers

Cited by 4 publications

References 23 publications

HIV risk and psychological distress among female entertainment workers in Cambodia: a cross-sectional study

HIV risk and psychological distress among female entertainment workers in Cambodia: a cross-sectional study

Mental Health and its Relationship With Social Support in Iranian Women With High-Risk Sexual Behaviors

Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of female entertainment workers in Cambodia: a group model building approach

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