International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Volume 107, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 30-34

HIV vulnerabilities of sex-trafficked Indian women and girls (Article)

Gupta J.* , Raj A. , Decker M.R. , Reed E. , Silverman J.G.
  • a Yale School of Public Health, Yale University Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, CT, United States
  • b Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine Boston, MA, United States
  • c Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Duke University, Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States
  • e Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Objective: To qualitatively explore potential mechanisms that may confer heightened risk for HIV infection among survivors of sex trafficking in India. Methods: Case narratives of 61 repatriated women and girls who reported being trafficked into sex work and were receiving services at an NGO in Mysore, India, were reviewed. Narratives were analyzed to examine potential sources of HIV risk related to sex trafficking. Results: Participants were aged 14-30 years. Among the 48 women and girls tested for HIV, 45.8% were HIV positive. Narratives described very low levels of autonomy, with control exacted by brothel managers and traffickers. Lack of control appeared to heighten trafficked women and girls' vulnerability to HIV infection in the following ways: use of violent rape as a means of coercing initiation into sex work, inability to refuse sex, inability to use condoms or negotiate use, substance use as a coping strategy, and inadequate access to health care. Conclusion: Sex trafficked women and girls lack autonomy and are rendered vulnerable to HIV infection through several means. Development of HIV prevention strategies specifically designed to deal with lack of autonomy and reach sex-trafficked women and girls is imperative. © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Sex work South Asia sex trafficking India HIV violence

Index Keywords

sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection India human condom controlled study Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient priority journal organization Adolescent female Contraception clinical article high risk population prostitution Article health care adult infection risk health care access disease predisposition Rape sexual deviation
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-70249125747&doi=10.1016%2fj.ijgo.2009.06.009&partnerID=40&md5=57694bbb81bb5beb06af5c4a519b2463
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.06.009
ISSN: 00207292
Cited by: 55
Original Language: English