The relationship between underage initiation of selling sex and depression among female sex workers in Eswatini

Abstract

BackgroundMinors 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.MethodsFrom 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.ResultsOverall, 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).ConclusionResults highlight the need for trauma-informed and adolescent-friendly mental health services in settings free of stigma toward female sex workers in Eswatini.

Prevalência E Fatores De Risco Relacionados a Comportamentos Suicidas Em Profissionais Do Sexo

“…Outrossim, o trabalho sexual propriamente dito contribui para uma maior probabilidade de ocorrência de suicídio 24,26 , sobretudo no que se refere a sua duração 24,28 , pois mulheres que iniciaram esse labor de forma mais precoce, apresentaram uma maior incidência de suicídio quando comparado àquelas que iniciaram mais tardiamente 9 . Um estudo associou as prevalências de depressão e ideação suicida com o início precoce no labor sexual, concluindo-se que 42,7% das mulheres que relataram algum anseio pela morte também haviam ingressado muito jovens no trabalho sexual 28 .…”