Female Sex Workers' Experiences Selling Sex during Pregnancy and Post-Delivery in South Africa.
Lauren Elizabeth ParmleyAmrita RaoKatherine YoungZamakayise KoseNancy Phaswana-MafuyaMfezi McinganaAndy LambertHarry HauslerStefan BaralSheree SchwartzPublished in: Studies in family planning (2019)
Nearly 75 percent of female sex workers (FSWs) in Port Elizabeth, South Africa are mothers, many of whom engage in sex work during pregnancy or after delivery. We conducted in-depth interviews with 22 postpartum and 8 pregnant FSWs in Port Elizabeth. Interview guides were used to probe women's experiences, challenges, and concerns about selling sex during pregnancy and post-delivery in a high-HIV-prevalence context. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and coded using thematic analysis. FSWs experienced and feared violence by clients during pregnancy, highlighting the need for safe work environments. Further, FSWs expressed concerns about HIV acquisition and vertical transmission during the perinatal period. Physical challenges related to pregnancy affected women's ability to work. Returning to work post-delivery presented barriers to initiating and practicing exclusive breastfeeding. As a result, many FSWs practiced mixed feeding. Interventions, tailored to respond to FSW's challenges and experiences, may offer improved health outcomes in this context.
Keyphrases
- south africa
- hiv positive
- mental health
- antiretroviral therapy
- hiv testing
- hiv infected
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- hepatitis c virus
- men who have sex with men
- human immunodeficiency virus
- pregnancy outcomes
- pregnant women
- physical activity
- hiv aids
- preterm infants
- type diabetes
- robot assisted
- insulin resistance
- skeletal muscle
- smoking cessation