The Earning and Spending Habits of Male Sex Workers in Lima, Peru

Abstract

Over the past decade, data have identified male sex work as a potentially viable economic decision; despite this, male sex workers (MSWs) continue to be perceived as group with access to few assets and resources. Using data from a pilot skills— building intervention for MSWs in Lima, Peru, an analysis of the economic characteristics of 209 MSWs is presented. The majority reported livable incomes with median earnings of US$250 per month, 83% earning above the urban poverty line. Interestingly, non-sex work was also an important source of income, especially for the high-earning MSWs. Spending data revealed that a large portion of income went to necessities (55%), luxuries (11%), and gifts (11%), with less toward savings (5%) and studies (1%). Such data on MSWs’ earnings and spending, which suggest that a lack of overall income is not the MSW’s main impediment to escaping poverty, could direct future poverty alleviation and health improvement programs in this key population.

Unmet need for family planning and associated factors among married women attending anti-retroviral treatment clinics in Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia

“…HIV-positive women who did not attend formal education and only did attend primary education were heightened the risk of having unmet need for FP as compared to those who had attended secondary education and above. This finding is consistent with a study done in Hawassa (21) and Nigeria [30]. This might be due to education is the prime influencing factor and it affects the attitudinal and behavioral patterns of the individuals [32].…”

“…Women live in a rural area was significantly associated with unmet need for FP. This result in line with other studies in Tigray [29], Nigeria [30], and India [8]. The possible explanation might be even if FP knowledge was even distributed in all residential areas, women living in rural areas were less exposed to messaging regarding FP [31].…”

“…Poor knowledge about FP has increased the risk of having unmet need for FP. The finding is supported by a study done in Nigeria [30]. Unfavorable attitude toward FP also increased the risk of having unmet need for FP.…”