Setting up a clinical psychology service for commercial sex workers

Stevenson, Clare; Petrak, Jenny

doi:10.1258/095646207780658872

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…Prevalent psychological problems among FSWs are not only detrimental to the individuals' health but also have important public health implications (Jeal, Salisbury, & Turner, 2008;Stevenson & Petrak, 2007). Our results consistently show that such psychological problems were associated with the frequency of condom use with different types of FSWs' sex partners.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Prevalence of psychological problems and relationships with condom use and HIV prevention behaviors among Chinese female sex workers in Hong Kong

Lau

Tsui

Ho³

et al. 2010

AIDS Care

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The present study investigated the prevalence of psychological problems and their relationships with relevant HIV prevention behaviors among female sex workers (FSWs). An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted. With a mapping exercise, 293 Chinese FSWs were recruited from a red-light district in Hong Kong. Results showed high prevalence of psychological problems among FSWs: substance use (40.4%), probable depression (53.9%), self-harm tendencies (34-38%), poor self-esteem (48-52%), and pessimistic future outlook (46-47%). Inconsistent condom use was common (51% with clients, 23% with one-night-stand sex partner, and 73% with boyfriends). Over 70% had not used HIV-related prevention services in the last 6 months. Multivariate analyses indicated that psychological problems were significantly associated with inconsistent condom use and non-use of prevention services. The poor psychological well-beings of FSWs have important public health implications. Relevant professional services should be provided and integrated with HIV prevention efforts.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Prevalence of psychological problems and relationships with condom use and HIV prevention behaviors among Chinese female sex workers in Hong Kong

Lau

Tsui

Ho³

et al. 2010

AIDS Care

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“…Studies suggest that women with such negative affects are ill-equipped to deal with the additional stress of insisting on condom use during sex work (O'Leary, 1995). Depression has been associated with inconsistent condom use with sex work clients (Hong et al, 2007;Stevenson & Petrak, 2007), while hopelessness and pessimism have been associated with high risk sexual behaviors among FSWs (Silbert, Pines, & Lynch, 1982;Paone et al, 1999). FSWs with poor interpersonal or social support are also less likely than others to be consistent condom users during sex work (Dandona et al, 2005;Campbell, 2000).…”

Section: Mental Health and Interpersonal Problems Among Idus Fsws Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health and Interpersonal Factors Associated with HIV-Related Risk Behaviors Among Non-Institutionalized Female Injection Drug Users Who Are Also Sex Workers in China

Lau

Chen

et al. 2010

Women & Health

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Female injecting drug users who are sex workers (IDUFSWs) are an important bridge population in HIV transmission. Few studies have investigated the associations between mental health, interpersonal problems, and HIV-related risk behaviors among injecting drug users who are sex workers. A total of 234 non-institutionalized injecting drug users who are sex workers were recruited using the snowball method. Multiple logistic regression was used for data analysis. A high prevalence of mental health (depression, hopelessness, pessimism) and interpersonal (lack of social support and submissive gender power) problems was reported. Optimism and social support were negatively associated with inconsistent condom use during sex work in the last six months (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 0.62-0.86); positive associations were observed for depression, hopelessness, pessimism, and gender power (AOR = 1.17 to 1.68). Injecting with others' used syringes in the last six months was negatively associated with social support (AOR = 0.75) and positively associated with hopelessness and gender power (AOR = 1.13-1.27). In two summary models using all significant independent variables as candidates, optimism was negatively (OR = 0.62) and submissive gender powers were positively (OR = 1.67) associated with inconsistent condom use during sex work; submissive gender power was positively associated with injecting with others' used syringes (OR = 1.38). HIV interventions targeting mental health and interpersonal problems are needed among injecting drug users who are sex workers.

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“…Therefore, these former service providers could be instrumental in identifying legal needs and promoting legal service use. In a recently developed clinical psychology service, the psychologist provided a range of services and referrals to the 23 sex workers, including police contact information (Stevenson and Petrak 2007). It was found within an outreach project to sex workers in England, that when given encouragement and practical support, the clients would report assaults to the police (Sanders 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Legal Service Needs and Utilization of Women Who Trade Sex

Sloss

Harper

2010

Sex Res Soc Policy

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Women who trade sex for money or drugs experience extensive victimization and criminalization and could benefit from legal services. In this study, 91 women currently trading sex disclosed experiences of community, intimate partner, societal, and police abuse, and a history of arrests and incarcerations. The majority of respondents indicated a need for services to help with abuse, violence, and/or legal problems, yet they reported a low perceived need and even lower use of legal services. The women revealed a higher tendency of disclosing their legal and abuse history to spiritual, mental health, and addiction service providers, than to legal service providers. The most frequently reported barrier to their legal service utilization was mistrust of the police and legal system, in part due to prior negative experiences and their own criminal status. Other barriers included fearing and protecting their perpetrators, wanting privacy, and using substances. The implications of the criminalization of sex work are discussed with regard to its impact on female sex traders' vulnerability to abuse and their use of legal services.

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Setting up a clinical psychology service for commercial sex workers

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Prevalence of psychological problems and relationships with condom use and HIV prevention behaviors among Chinese female sex workers in Hong Kong

Prevalence of psychological problems and relationships with condom use and HIV prevention behaviors among Chinese female sex workers in Hong Kong

Mental Health and Interpersonal Factors Associated with HIV-Related Risk Behaviors Among Non-Institutionalized Female Injection Drug Users Who Are Also Sex Workers in China

Legal Service Needs and Utilization of Women Who Trade Sex

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