Perceptions of commercial sex workers about the risk of drug use in HIV infection
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Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
This study investigated the perceptions of commercial sex workers about the risk of drug
use in HIV infection. The aim of this study was to determine whether drug use is a c~
factor for an increased HIV infection risk. This was to further explore the nature and
effectiveness of risk reduction strategies undertaken by commercial sex workers to
reduce susceptibility to HIV. An analysis of whether coping strategies adopted by
commercial sex workers are adaptive was done. In-depth interviews of four colored
women aged between 24-30 years, who speak Afrikaans and English and work as sex
workers around the area of Brackenfell in the Western Cape were done. These women
reported drug use as part of the nature of their job. Unemployment and family obligations
were the driving force into the nature work they do. The themes that emerged from the
data were that the nature of sexual exchange which takes the form of commodity
exchange which is transient and impersonal exposes sex workers to heath related risk
through abuse and violation from clients. Sex workers are also conveyed by their clients
and the rest of society with discourses of sick society.
Description
Magister Artium - MA
Keywords
Commercial, Sex workers, HIV/AIDS, Prostitution