Publication: The Global HIV Epidemics among Sex Workers
Date
2013-01
ISSN
Published
2013-01
Author(s)
Kerrigan, Deanna
Wirtz, Andrea
Baral, Stefan
Decker, Michele
Murray, Laura
Poteat, Tonia
Pretorius, Carel
Sherman, Susan
Sweat, Mike
Semini, Iris
Abstract
Since the beginning of the epidemic sex
workers have experienced a heightened burden of HIV across
settings, despite their higher levels of HIV protective
behaviors (UNAIDS, 2009). Unfairly, sex workers have often
been framed as 'vectors of disease' and 'core
transmitters' rather than workers and human beings with
rights in terms of HIV prevention and beyond. By gaining a
deeper understanding of the epidemiologic and broader policy
and social context within which sex work is set one begins
to quickly gain a sense of the complex backdrop for
increased risk to HIV among sex workers. This backdrop
includes the critical role of stigma, discrimination and
violence faced by sex workers, as well as, the importance of
community empowerment and mobilization among sex workers to
address these regressive forces. The eight country case
studies work to highlight the experiences of diverse
populations of and contexts for sex work across settings.
Given the limited epidemiologic and intervention evaluation
data available among male and transgender sex workers,
however, our collaborative team (Johns Hopkins University,
or JHU, World Bank, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
and Global Network of Sex Work Projects, or NSWP) determined
that the systematic review, mathematical modeling and
cost-effective analyses would focus on female sex workers.
Throughout the process of this analysis as a whole, the
participation of sex worker perspectives and sex worker
organizations such as NSWP and their regional partners has
been critical by providing documents and resources, input
and consultation throughout the analytical process.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“Kerrigan, Deanna; Wirtz, Andrea; Baral, Stefan; Decker, Michele; Murray, Laura; Poteat, Tonia; Pretorius, Carel; Sherman, Susan; Sweat, Mike; Semini, Iris; N'Jie, N'Della; Stanciole, Anderson; Butler, Jenny; Osornprasop, Sutayut; Oelrichs, Robert; Beyrer, Chris. 2013. The Global HIV Epidemics among Sex Workers. © http://hdl.handle.net/10986/12217 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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