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Prevalence and correlates of physical violence and rape among female sex workers in Ethiopia : a cross-sectional study with respondent-driven sampling from 11 major towns

Amogne, Minilik Demissie LU orcid ; Balcha, Taye Tolera LU and Agardh, Anette LU orcid (2019) In BMJ Open 9(7). p.1-11
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of physical violence and rape among female sex workers (FSWs) in Ethiopia.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling technique.

SETTING: Eleven major towns in Ethiopia.

PARTICIPANTS: 4900 FSWs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of experiences of physical beating and rape.

RESULTS: Among FSWs, 17.5% reported physical beating within the last year and 15.2% reported rape since they started selling sex. FSWs aged 35+ years (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.92) were less exposed to physical beating than those aged 15-24 years. FSWs working on the street (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.39), in red-light houses (AOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.12 to... (More)

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of physical violence and rape among female sex workers (FSWs) in Ethiopia.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling technique.

SETTING: Eleven major towns in Ethiopia.

PARTICIPANTS: 4900 FSWs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of experiences of physical beating and rape.

RESULTS: Among FSWs, 17.5% reported physical beating within the last year and 15.2% reported rape since they started selling sex. FSWs aged 35+ years (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.92) were less exposed to physical beating than those aged 15-24 years. FSWs working on the street (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.39), in red-light houses (AOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.38) and in local drinking houses (AOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.78) experienced more physical beating than FSWs working in bars/hotels. FSWs who consumed alcohol four or more days in a week (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.04), and who chewed khat frequently experienced more physical violence. Rape was associated with having a low monthly income, drinking alcohol four or more days per week (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.47 to 3.7), experience of heavy episodic drinking in a month (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.38) and chewing khat 3-4 days per week (AOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.98). Condom breakage was more frequent among FSWs who reported both physical beating (AOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.84) and rape (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.55).

CONCLUSION: FSWs in Ethiopia are vulnerable to physical and sexual violence, and the risk increases when they are younger, street-based and high consumers of alcohol or khat. Therefore, targeted efforts are needed for prevention and harm reduction.

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publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
BMJ Open
volume
9
issue
7
article number
e028247
pages
1 - 11
publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
external identifiers
  • pmid:31366648
  • scopus:85070902186
ISSN
2044-6055
DOI
10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028247
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
id
33f26dca-c61d-49f7-b2f6-a443761c2994
date added to LUP
2019-08-28 10:24:08
date last changed
2024-10-17 13:09:36
@article{33f26dca-c61d-49f7-b2f6-a443761c2994,
  abstract     = {{<p>OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of physical violence and rape among female sex workers (FSWs) in Ethiopia.</p><p>DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling technique.</p><p>SETTING: Eleven major towns in Ethiopia.</p><p>PARTICIPANTS: 4900 FSWs.</p><p>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of experiences of physical beating and rape.</p><p>RESULTS: Among FSWs, 17.5% reported physical beating within the last year and 15.2% reported rape since they started selling sex. FSWs aged 35+ years (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.92) were less exposed to physical beating than those aged 15-24 years. FSWs working on the street (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.39), in red-light houses (AOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.38) and in local drinking houses (AOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.78) experienced more physical beating than FSWs working in bars/hotels. FSWs who consumed alcohol four or more days in a week (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.04), and who chewed khat frequently experienced more physical violence. Rape was associated with having a low monthly income, drinking alcohol four or more days per week (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.47 to 3.7), experience of heavy episodic drinking in a month (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.38) and chewing khat 3-4 days per week (AOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.98). Condom breakage was more frequent among FSWs who reported both physical beating (AOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.84) and rape (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.55).</p><p>CONCLUSION: FSWs in Ethiopia are vulnerable to physical and sexual violence, and the risk increases when they are younger, street-based and high consumers of alcohol or khat. Therefore, targeted efforts are needed for prevention and harm reduction.</p>}},
  author       = {{Amogne, Minilik Demissie and Balcha, Taye Tolera and Agardh, Anette}},
  issn         = {{2044-6055}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  number       = {{7}},
  pages        = {{1--11}},
  publisher    = {{BMJ Publishing Group}},
  series       = {{BMJ Open}},
  title        = {{Prevalence and correlates of physical violence and rape among female sex workers in Ethiopia : a cross-sectional study with respondent-driven sampling from 11 major towns}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028247}},
  doi          = {{10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028247}},
  volume       = {{9}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}