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Physical and Mental Health of Sex Workers during and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Occupational Safety and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2023) | Viewed by 5884

Special Issue Editors

Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
Interests: infectious diseases (HIV, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis); sexual and reproductive health; substance abuse & mental health; harm reduction & human rights

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Guest Editor
Department of Public Health Program, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA
Interests: accesss reproductive health in low-resource countries; evaluate the impact of reproductive health vouchers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sex and entertainment workers have specific concerns regarding their physical and mental health, including a multitude of risk and protective factors. Due to the informality of the workplace, the stigmatizing nature of the job, and the potentially illegal status of the work, the physical and mental health of women sex and entertainment workers has not been adequately studied. Women sex and entertainment workers are considered to be a vulnerable population because they are at a higher risk of poor sexual and mental health, and are more likely to experience gender-based violence (GBV). These increased risks have been linked to social stigma and discrimination, the criminalization of prostitution, and a limited access to essential services. The COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated these risks, and we have seen an increase in anxiety, depression, and GBV within this group. In preparation for future pandemics or crises, these risks could be successfully mitigated via collective organization, empowerment, and advocacy efforts. Exemplar efforts to improve the physical and mental health of sex and entertainment workers in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era must also address the structural conditions that lead to power imbalances in this work and undermine the agency of workers.

Dr. Siyan Yi
Dr. Carinne Meyer Brody
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • occupational health
  • sex and entertainment workers
  • sexual and reproductive health
  • HIV prevention
  • sexually transmitted infections
  • gender-based violence
  • best practices

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 368 KiB  
Article
Experiences of Sex Workers in Chicago during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study
by Randi Singer, Sarah Abboud, Amy K. Johnson, Jessica L. Zemlak, Natasha Crooks, Sangeun Lee, Johannes Wilson, Della Gorvine, Jahari Stamps, Douglas Bruce, Susan G. Sherman, Alicia K. Matthews and Crystal L. Patil
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(11), 5948; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115948 - 25 May 2023
Viewed by 2341
Abstract
COVID-19 exacerbated health disparities, financial insecurity, and occupational safety for many within marginalized populations. This study, which took place between 2019 and 2022, aimed to explore the way in which sex workers (n = 36) in Chicago were impacted by COVID-19. We [...] Read more.
COVID-19 exacerbated health disparities, financial insecurity, and occupational safety for many within marginalized populations. This study, which took place between 2019 and 2022, aimed to explore the way in which sex workers (n = 36) in Chicago were impacted by COVID-19. We analyzed the transcripts of 36 individual interviews with a diverse group of sex workers using thematic analysis. Five general themes emerged regarding the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on sex workers: (1) the impact of COVID-19 on physical health; (2) the economic impact of COVID-19; (3) the impact of COVID-19 on safety; (4) the impact of COVID-19 on mental health; and (5) adaptive strategies for working during COVID-19. Participants reported that their physical and mental health, economic stability, and safety worsened due to COVID-19 and that adaptive strategies did not serve to improve working conditions. Findings highlight the ways in which sex workers are particularly vulnerable during a public health crisis, such as COVID-19. In response to these findings, targeted resources, an increased access to funding, community-empowered interventions and policy changes are needed to protect the health and safety of sex workers in Chicago. Full article
15 pages, 368 KiB  
Article
An Evaluation of Indoor Sex Workers’ Sexual Health Access in Metro Vancouver: Applying an Occupational Health & Safety Lens in the Context of Criminalization
by Jennie Pearson, Sylvia Machat, Jennifer McDermid, Shira M. Goldenberg and Andrea Krüsi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1857; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031857 - 19 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
The criminalization of sex work has been consistently shown to undermine workers’ Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), including sexual health. Drawing on the ‘Guide to OHS in the New Zealand Sex Industry’ (the Guide), we assessed barriers to sexual health best practices among [...] Read more.
The criminalization of sex work has been consistently shown to undermine workers’ Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), including sexual health. Drawing on the ‘Guide to OHS in the New Zealand Sex Industry’ (the Guide), we assessed barriers to sexual health best practices among indoor sex workers in Metro Vancouver, Canada, in the context of ongoing criminalization. Part of a longstanding community-based study, this analysis drew on 47 qualitative interviews (2017–2018) with indoor sex workers and third parties. Participants’ narratives were analyzed drawing on a social determinants of health framework and on the Guide with specific focus on sexual health. Our findings suggest that sex workers and third parties utilize many sexual health strategies, including use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and peer-driven sexual health education. However, participant narratives demonstrate how structural factors such as criminalization, immigration, and stigma limit the accessibility of additional OHS best practices outlined in the Guide and beyond, including access to non-stigmatizing sexual health assessments, and distribution of diverse PPE by third parties. Our current study supports the need for full decriminalization of sex work, including im/migrant sex work, to allow for the uptake of OHS guidelines that support the wellbeing and autonomy of all sex workers. Full article
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