"Girls have commercial sex, boys don't:" Mixed-methods evidence for a gendered risk environment for street-connected young people in the Republic of Georgia. Issue 2 (3rd April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sadzaglishvili, Shorena; Gotsiridze, Teona; Lekishvili, Ketevan; Verdino, Anthony P.; Flores, Rey; Bouris, Alida
• Is Part Of: Journal of HIV/AIDS & social services. Volume 21:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2022-04-03
• Subjects: Exchange sex -- HIV/AIDS -- romantic relationships -- sexual health -- street-connected young people; AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Services for -- Periodicals; 362.1969792005
• DOI: 10.1080/15381501.2022.2047865
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1538-1501

Abstract

Abstract: Street-connected young people (SCYP) in the Republic of Georgia are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. We conducted a mixed-methods study utilizing a triangulation design with N = 20 SCYP aged 11–18 (50% female; M = 13.95 years; SD = 2.11) recruited from two cities in Georgia. SCYP completed a close-ended survey and an in-depth interview on their perceptions of romantic and exchange sex relationships. Quantitative analyses examined gender differences in perceptions of romantic and exchange sex partners, and qualitative data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Quantitative findings indicated that a higher proportion of female than male SCYP endorsed engaging in HIV-related transmission behaviors with exchange sex partners. Thematic analysis contextualized survey findings by elucidating the ways in which females negotiated a highly gendered risk environment that elevated their vulnerability to HIV. Study results highlight the need for gender-responsive programming to address the HIV prevention needs of both male and female SCYP in the Republic of Georgia.