Policing the epidemic: High burden of workplace violence among female sex workers in conflict-affected northern Uganda. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muldoon, Katherine A.; Akello, Monica; Muzaaya, Godfrey; Simo, Annick; Shoveller, Jean; Shannon, Kate
• Is Part Of: Global public health. Volume 12:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 84
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Sex work -- violence -- northern Uganda -- criminalisation -- HIV/AIDS; Public health -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2015.1091489
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-1692

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa experience a high burden of HIV with a paucity of data on violence and links to HIV risk among sex workers, and even less within conflict-affected environments. Data are from a cross-sectional survey of female sex workers in Gulu, northern Uganda ( n = 400). Logistic regression was used to determine the specific association between policing and recent physical/sexual violence from clients. A total of 196 (49.0%) sex workers experienced physical/sexual violence by a client. From those who experienced client violence the most common forms included physical assault (58.7%), rape (38.3%), and gang rape (15.8%) Police harassment was very common, a total of 149 (37.3%) reported rushing negotiations with clients because of police presence, a practice that was significantly associated with increased odds of client violence (adjusted odds ratio: 1.61, 95% confidence intervals: 1.03–2.52). Inconsistent condom use with clients, servicing clients in a bar, and working for a manager/pimp were also independently associated with recent client violence. Structural and community-led responses, including decriminalisation, and engagement with police and policy stakeholders, remain critical to addressing violence, both a human rights and public health imperative.