Age Matters: determinants of sexual and reproductive health vulnerabilities amongst young women who sell sex (16–24 years) in Zimbabwe.
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier.
Abstract
Introduction: Female sex workers bear a disproportionate burden of HIV and other poor sexual and reproductive
health (SRH) outcomes which has led to the tailoring of SRH interventions to mitigate risk. Understanding of the
SRH vulnerabilities of young women who sell sex (YWSS) (16–24 years) in Southern Africa is under-represented
in research which may result in a mismatch in current SRH interventions and service design.
Objective: This paper is based on a sub-analysis of a qualitative study investigating the SRH of young women who
sell sex (16–24 years) in Zimbabwe. We explored the differences in dynamics of SRH vulnerability amongst YWSS
within the 16–24 year age band.
Methods: In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted amongst key informants (n = 4), health care providers (n =
5), and peer educators (n = 16). Amongst YWSS, we conducted IDIs (n = 42) and focus group discussions (n =
30). Transcripts were inductively coded for emergent themes and categories.
Results: Age and life stage determinants led to key differences in SRH vulnerabilities between younger (16–19
years) and older YWSS (20–24 years). These determinants emerged in the following ways: 1) distancing of
younger participants from a “sex worker” identity leading to difficulties in identification and limiting intervention
reach, 2) inexperience in dealing with clients and immature cognitive development leading to greater
exposure to risk, and 3) the subordinate social position and exploitation of young participants within sex worker
hierarchies or networks and lack of protective networks.
Conclusions: We highlight the presence of a diverse group of vulnerable young women who may be missed by sex
worker programme responses. In future intervention planning, there is need to consider the age-related needs
and vulnerabilities within a spectrum of young women involved in a wide range of transactional relationships to
ensure that services reach those most vulnerable to poor SRH outcomes.
Description
HEARD, 2021.
Keywords
Citation
Crankshaw, T; Chareka, S; Zambezi, P; Poku, N.K. (2021). Age Matters: determinants of sexual and reproductive health vulnerabilities amongst young women who sell sex (16–24 years) in Zimbabwe. Social Science & Medicine, 270, 113597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113597.