Violence as a barrier for HIV prevention among female sex workers in Argentina

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 8; no. 1; p. e54147
• Main Authors: Pando, María A, Coloccini, Romina S, Reynaga, Elena, Rodriguez Fermepin, Marcelo, Gallo Vaulet, Lucia, Kochel, Tadeusz J, Montano, Silvia M, Avila, María M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 16-01-2013; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Abuse; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adult; Aggression; AIDS; Argentina - epidemiology; Bacterial infections; Clients; Condoms; Cross-sectional studies; Disease prevention; Domestic violence; Female; Gender; Health risks; HIV; HIV infections; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Imprisonment; Infection; Infections; Medical diagnosis; Medical research; Medicine; Mens health; Police; Prevention; Prostitution; Public health; Rejection; Sampling methods; Sex; Sex industry; Sex oriented businesses; Sex workers; Sex Workers - statistics & numerical data; Sexual abuse; Sexual assault; Sexually transmitted disease prevention; Sexually transmitted diseases; Social and Behavioral Sciences; STD; Studies; Treponema pallidum; Violence; Workers; Working women; Young Adult; Argentina; United States > US
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054147

Violence against female sex workers (FSWs) has been increasingly reported as an important determinant of HIV infection risk. This study explores the frequency of different violent experiences (sexual abuse, rejection, beating and imprisonment) among FSWs in Argentina and its association with condom use and HIV and T. pallidum prevalence.
A convenience sample of 1255 FSWs was included in a cross-sectional study conducted between October 2006 and November 2009.
Sexual abuse was reported by 24.1% (219/907) of women. A total of 34.7% (42/1234) reported rejection experiences, 21.9% (267/1215) reported having been beaten and 45.4% (561/1236) stated having been arrested because of their sex work activity. There was a higher frequency of inconsistent condom use with clients among FSWs who had experienced sexual abuse, rejection, and police detention. A higher frequency of HIV and T. pallidum infection was detected among FSWs who reported having been arrested by the police.
The study shows for the first time the frequency of different violent situations among FSWs in Argentina. The association between violence against sex workers, condom use and STI prevalence demonstrated here calls for measures to reduce stigma and violence against FSWs. Such violent experiences may increase vulnerability to STI through coerced unprotected sex.