Associations of sex trafficking history with recent sexual risk among HIV-infected FSWs in India

AIDS Behav. 2014 Mar;18(3):555-61. doi: 10.1007/s10461-013-0564-3.

Abstract

History of forced or coerced sex work entry and/or sex work entry prior to age 18 (i.e., sex trafficking) relate to early HIV risk; whether such risk persists is unclear. The current study assessed associations of reported sex trafficking histories and recent sexual risk among adult HIV-infected female sex workers (FSWs; n = 211) in Mumbai, India. Approximately one-half reported entering sex work prior to age 18 (50.2 %) or being forced or coerced into sex work (41.7 %). Past 90-day unprotected transactional sex was more prevalent among FSWs entering as minors than those entering as adults (AOR 2.06); in contrast, being forced or coerced into sex work related to reduction in such risk for HIV transmission (AOR 0.45). Histories of each form of sex trafficking may relate differently to later HIV risk. Intervention with HIV-infected FSWs entering sex work as minors should be prioritized based on potential elevated risk of HIV transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Human Trafficking*
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sex Work / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sex Workers / psychology*
  • Sex Workers / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult