Abstract
BackgroundGender-based violence is a natural outgrowth of the stigma and discrimination experienced by commercial sex workers (CSWs) across the globe. In light of this, the current study aimed to describe the prevalence and character of sexual violence, as well as any risk factors for violence, experienced by CSWs in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Mekelle City in April 2013. 250 CSWs were selected for participation using simple random sampling. Data were collected via a questionnaire instrument. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 20 for Windows.ResultsThe overall prevalence of sexual violence among CSWs was 75.6 %. Basic literacy [(AOR = 5.3, 95 % of CI (1.15–25.20)], completion of only elementary school [AOR = 6.9, 95 % of CI (1.55–31.25)], completion of only high school [AOR = 7.9, 95 % of CI (1.65–38.16)], being married [(AOR = 3.8, 95 % CI (1.34–11.09)], engaging in sex work for 1–4 years [(AOR = 5.3, 95 % CI(1.7–16.2)] and drug use [AOR = 5.3, 95 % of CI (1.78–16.21)] were all significant risk factors for sexual violence. CSWs with lower monthly income were also more likely to experience sexual violence; monthly income of 51.2–101.9 USD yielded AOR = 2.4 (95 % CI 1.12–5.37) and monthly income of 102.2–153.1 USD yielded AOR = 7.9 (95 % CI 2.46–25.58), compared to CSWs earning 153.2 USD or more.ConclusionThe prevalence of sexual violence among CSWs is high. Lower educational attainment, being married, lower monthly income, drug use, and shorter duration of sex work are all risk factors for sexual violence.
Highlights
Gender-based violence is a natural outgrowth of the stigma and discrimination experienced by commercial sex workers (CSWs) across the globe
Socio-demographic characteristics of study population A total of 250 commercial sex workers participated in the study, indicating a response rate of 100 %. 119 (47.6 %) of the respondents were between the ages of 20 and 24, with a mean age of 24.04 (SD ± 4.3) and an age range of 17 to 47.8 % identified as Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, 79 % identified as ethnically Tigray. 59 (23.6 %) of the respondents were married before they became CSWs
The mean age at marriage was 16.9 (SD ± 2.1), with 18.4 % of the participants reporting marriage before the age of 18. 80 % reported their first episode of sexual intercourse between the ages of 15 and 19, with a mean age of 17 (SD ± 5.7). 10 % of the CSWs reported belonging to agrarian families, while 70.8 % reported being born in an urban area and 96 % reported being raised in an urban area. 10 % of the participants reported an average household monthly income of 51.1–102.2 USD [Table 1]
Summary
Gender-based violence is a natural outgrowth of the stigma and discrimination experienced by commercial sex workers (CSWs) across the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), gender-based violence is a global phenomenon that includes physical, psychological and sexual abuse, with the perpetrator often well known to the victim [1, 2]. Many sex workers consider violence a “normal” part of the job and are not well informed about their rights [4]. As a result, they are often reluctant to report instances of rape and molestation, attempted murder, and beatings or other physical harm [4]. Resulting criminalization of sex work propagates an environment in which violence against sex workers is tolerated, rendering them entirely vulnerable and unable to seek the protection of law enforcement authorities [5]
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