Correlates of Suicidal Ideation and Attempt Among Female Sex Workers in China

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempt among female sex workers (FSWs) in China. A cross-sectional survey was administered among 454 FSWs in a rural county of Guangxi, China. About 14% of FSWs had thought of suicide and 8% had attempted suicide in the past 6 months. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that those FSWs who were dissatisfied with life, abused alcohol, were deceived or forced into commercial sex, and had stable sexual partners were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Female sex workers who had multiple stable partners, experienced sexual coercion, and worried about an inability to make enough money were more likely to report a suicide attempt. These FSWs who entered commercial sex because of financial needs or who were influenced by the peers were less likely to report a suicide attempt. Our data suggested that the rates of suicidal ideation and attempts were high among FSWs in China, and there were multiple factors associated with their suicidality. Future health education and promotion efforts among FSWs need to take into consideration substance abuse, interpartner conflict, and psychological stress.

Suicide and poverty in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review

“…We assessed 29 (78%) studies to be of high [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] or acceptable [44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58] quality (Table 3). Eight studies [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66] were of low quality due to problems with risk of bias: performance, attrition and detection bias (interrupted-time series); selection bias, unclear case definitions, detection bias, lack of adjustment for confounding factors (case-control studies); detection bias, lack of adjustment for confounding factors (cross sectional and ecological studies).…”

“…A similar association was shown between becoming a female sex worker due to financial necessity and six-month prevalence of suicidal attempts among female sex workers in China (OR=0•24, 95% CI 0•09-0•58). 50 A null association was shown between financial burden for managing the autoimmune disorder, lupus, and suicidal ideation in China. 43 …”

Suicidal Behavior Among Female Sex Workers in Goa, India: The Silent Epidemic

“…14 Yet, despite substantial investigation of their reproductive and sexual health needs, there is virtually no information on suicide and its determinants among female sex workers from low-and middle-income countries. 15 As demonstrated in the hierarchical conceptual framework outlined in Figure 1, 4,5,9 we hypothesized that gender disadvantage, sex work, and health factors together with factors indicative of social disadvantage are distal determinants of female sex workers' vulnerability to suicidal behaviors, 4,5,9,15 the effects of which would be mediated though poor mental health. 3 We studied the burden of suicidal behaviors in a cross-sectional sample of female sex workers in Goa, India.…”

Correlatos psicosociales de depresión y riesgo de suicidio en trabajadoras sexuales del Estado de Hidalgo, México

“…20 En su conjunto, los predictores de depresión y de riesgo de suicidio se identifican en el conglomerado de la violencia familiar, de pareja y laboral (ante la presión de beber) y los resultados coinciden con lo reportado en otro trabajo. 10 Los predictores identificados evidencian la necesidad de atender estos problemas de salud mental como consecuencias de la victimización pasada y presente. En este sentido, es importante considerar los resultados obtenidos a fin de propiciar acciones para reducir o eliminar la violencia de pareja, fomentar la adquisición de habilidades para el manejo de consecuencias negativas del pasado e implementar estrategias para reducir el daño ocasionado por el consumo de alcohol, dadas las características del entorno laboral de las trabajadoras sexuales, ya que "el trabajo sexual es una profesión extremadamente peligrosa y el uso de estrategias de reducción del daño puede salvaguardar las vidas de las trabajadoras sexuales".…”

“…Se sabe que existen condiciones de violencia por parte de sus parejas y de sus clientes, abuso de alcohol, consumo de otras drogas y una salud mental disminuida, lo que incluye tener baja autoestima, problemas depresivos y ansiedad. 10,11 El trabajo sexual tiene una relevancia particular y ciertas características que lo convierten en un fenómeno complejo. El estudio de algunos problemas de salud mental y sus determinantes psicosociales se ha abarcado de manera limitada en las mujeres que ejercen dicha actividad.…”