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Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Needs Associated with Underage Initiation of Selling Sex among Adult Female Sex Workers in Guinea-Bissau

Author

Listed:
  • Ashley Grosso

    (Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
    Center for Population Behavioral Health, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA)

  • Lindsay Berg

    (Center for Population Behavioral Health, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA)

  • Katherine Rucinski

    (Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Amrita Rao

    (Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Mamadú Aliu Djaló

    (Enda Santé, Guiné-Bissau, Bissau 1041, Guinea-Bissau)

  • Daouda Diouf

    (Enda Santé, Dakar 3370, Senegal)

  • Stefan Baral

    (Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence and predictors of underage initiation of selling sex among female sex workers (FSW) in Guinea-Bissau. Methods: 505 adult FSW recruited using respondent-driven sampling were surveyed in 2017. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial characteristics associated with initiation of selling sex while underage (<18 years). Results: A total of 26.3% (133/505) of FSW started selling sex before age 18. Underage initiation of selling sex was associated with experiencing forced sex before age 18 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 6.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.05–22.13), and never being tested for HIV (aOR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20–0.91). Despite having lower odds of wanting to have children or more children (aOR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.17–0.56), FSW who started selling sex while underage had lower odds of using highly effective contraception such as implants (aOR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.24–0.77). Among those who were ever pregnant, a lower percentage of FSW who started selling sex while underage accessed antenatal care (56.6% vs. 74.7%, p = 0.008). Conclusions: These data suggest that early initiation of selling sex among adult FSW in Guinea-Bissau is common. Social services for youth and integrated HIV and reproductive health services are critical to address the persisting sexual and reproductive health needs of FSW who started selling sex while underage.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashley Grosso & Lindsay Berg & Katherine Rucinski & Amrita Rao & Mamadú Aliu Djaló & Daouda Diouf & Stefan Baral, 2022. "Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Needs Associated with Underage Initiation of Selling Sex among Adult Female Sex Workers in Guinea-Bissau," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12715-:d:933644
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marian PREDA & Doru BUZDUCEA & Florin LAZAR & Vlad GRIGORAS & Joanna BUSZA, 2012. "Exploring the Influence of Age, Ethnicity and Education as Risk Factors for HIV Transmission among Adolescent and Young Female Sex Workers in Romania (English version)," Revista de cercetare si interventie sociala, Editura Lumen, Department of Economics, vol. 38, pages 42-53, September.
    2. Lianne A. Urada & Maia Rusakova & Veronika Odinokova & Kiyomi Tsuyuki & Anita Raj & Jay G. Silverman, 2019. "Sexual Exploitation as a Minor, Violence, and HIV/STI Risk among Women Trading Sex in St. Petersburg and Orenburg, Russia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Nazmul Alam & Mohammad Hajizadeh & Alexandre Dumont & Pierre Fournier, 2015. "Inequalities in Maternal Health Care Utilization in Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Multiyear and Multi-Country Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, April.
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