Covid-19 Coping-Prevention Strategies for Female Sexual Workers in the Context of Various Countries

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the scientific evidence on COVID-19 coping and prevention strategies implemented to female sex workers in the context of several countries. Methods: this is an integrative literature review, with data collected in the PubMed, Scopus, Virtual Health Library and Google Scholar databases using the Boolean descriptors “COVID-19” and “sex workers” and “Delivery of Health Care”, with a time frame from 2019 to 2020. A priori, 215 publications were found. After selection, anchored in the inclusion criteria and in the answer to the guiding question, 19 articles were used, whose information was organized in a synoptic table, and the texts were analyzed using semantic content. Results: after content analysis of actions implemented or recommended in different countries, so that female sex workers can prevent contamination by Sars-CoV-2, four categories were highlighted: programmatic/governmental actions and responses from society; combating the stigmas involved in sex work; health education through technological/digital and media resources; adjustment of health services. Conclusion: gender, race and class inequalities, as well as social stigmas, have been maintained by states governed by patriarchy and, therefore, are the main barriers for female sex workers to adopt strategies to combat COVID-19. Even so, intersectoral actions have been implemented/recommended in several countries such as the adjustment of sexual health services, financial incentives to improve the services of signal operators and digital technologies to implement effective actions to promote health education and enable the distribution of inputs for individual protection and prevention.

Autocuidado na perspectiva de trabalhadoras sexuais para prevenção e enfrentamento à pandemia do SARS-CoV-2

“…Estudos revelaram que a adoção de chamadas de vídeo para a atividade sexual virtual com clientes foi apontada como alternativa para trabalhadoras do sexo na Europa, no Estado Unidos e América Latina 7,14,30 . De outro modo, os problemas com o padrão de sono e falta de atividade física fez/faz parte do cotidiano das mulheres que têm o serviço sexual como profissão, pois durante a noite trabalham e durante o dia descansam pouco, para cuidar de outros afazeres 16,28 .…”

Self-care from the perspective by female sex workers to prevent and face the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

“…Studies revealed that the adoption of video calls for virtual sexual activity with clients was identified as an alternative for sex workers in Europe, the United States and Latin America 7,14,30 . On the other hand, problems with sleep patterns and lack of physical activity were/are part of the daily life of women who have sex work as a profession, because during the night they work and during the day they rest little, to take care of other tasks 16,28 .…”

Morbidity and mortality of pregnant women due to COVID-19 andracialbiases:an intersectional analysis

“…Morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic predominate among Afro-descendant individuals and those of mixed race. The reason is that social, ethnic, and gender inequalities worsened and deepened even more worldwide as the disease progressed, but especially among underdeveloped and developing countries (1) . Thus, regardless of the continent, these countries present the worst outcomes for COVID-19 among the Afro-descendant population.…”