Impact of COVID-19 on Profession and Health of Female Sex Workers: Apprehension, Acquiescence, and Resilience.
U C SamudyathaJ K KosambiyaManvendra Singh RathorePublished in: Archives of sexual behavior (2024)
In Surat city of Gujarat, India, female sex workers (FSW)-based targeted interventions (TI) and community-based organizations (CBO) have been functioning since 1998. To document the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown (March-May 2020) on FSWs and STI/RTI/HIV preventive measures provided through TI/CBOs in Surat city, sequential, explanatory mixed-methods design was used. We conducted a desk review of quarterly programmatic data (2018-2020) of four TIs and CBOs and interviewed of 221 FSWs to study pre- and post-lockdown socioeconomic conditions, engagement in sex work, health services during COVID-19 lockdown and coping strategies, followed by five focus group discussions of FSWs and TI/CBO project staff. Study identified four major themes: reasons for working as a FSW during COVID-19 lockdown, entry to sex work during or as a consequence of lockdown, exploitation of FSWs during lockdown, and challenges of TI and CBOs in service provision in pandemic situation. Number of new registrations and STI/RTI detection increased immediately after lockdown. TI/CBO and other NGOs working for women welfare must build financial independence by training them in microeconomics, savings, and entrepreneurship. TI/CBO staff must also include experts in finance or business, trained in emergency response. The presence of strong TI/CBO network facilitated prompt delivery of essential commodities and financial aid to FSWs. However, laboratory and screening services were hampered, which warrants need of introducing self-test kits. In backdrop of decrease in condom distribution, continuation of sex work during lockdown and disruption of routine HIV/STI/RTI screening facilities, our study also recommends intensified HIV/STI/RTI screening among FSWs.
Keyphrases
- men who have sex with men
- hiv testing
- hiv positive
- coronavirus disease
- healthcare
- sars cov
- antiretroviral therapy
- hiv infected
- human immunodeficiency virus
- mental health
- hepatitis c virus
- public health
- hiv aids
- primary care
- randomized controlled trial
- social support
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- emergency department
- adipose tissue
- type diabetes
- physical activity
- metabolic syndrome
- social media
- study protocol
- palliative care
- south africa
- artificial intelligence
- electronic health record
- quality improvement
- deep learning
- insulin resistance
- health insurance