Sexuality and Culture
Volume 21, Issue 3, 2017, Pages 680-691

Examining the Unique Characteristics of a Non-Probability Sample of Undocumented Female Sex Workers with Dependent Children: The Case of Haitians in the Dominican Republic (Article)

Rael C.T.* , Sheinfil A. , Hampanda K. , Carballo-Diéguez A. , Norcini Pala A. , Brown W., III
  • a HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, United States
  • b HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, United States
  • c Department of Community and Behavioral Health – Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, 13, 199 East Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
  • d HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, United States
  • e HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, United States
  • f HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, United States, Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th St, 3154, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States

Abstract

Haitians in the Dominican Republic (DR) are increasingly marginalized due to recent legislation that stripped Haitian-Dominicans of their citizenship and increased Haitian migrants’ deportation risk. Haitian female sex workers (FSWs) are particularly vulnerable, though little is known about them. This study will help public health efforts targeted at sex workers to better reach Haitian FSWs and address their needs by identifying a profile of characteristics unique to this group compared to Dominican FSWs. Data were collected in 2014 among Haitian and Dominican FSWs in Puerto Plata, DR. Surveys assessed respondents’ demographics, health consciousness, depression, and stigma. Adjusted logistic regressions showed that Haitian FSWs were disadvantaged: they had significantly lower rates of education, more children, and less permanent income. Furthermore, Haitian FSWs were more likely to work independently and for fewer hours. Interestingly, Haitian FSWs internalized less stigma than Dominicans. Though we can only speculate, this could be due to migration for sex work, or the lack of formal employment for Haitians. Initiatives to alleviate poverty, create formal jobs, and overturn discriminatory legislation may have the most impact for Haitian FSWs. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Sex work Health consciousness Immigrant Haitian Depression Stigma migrant Dominican Republic Undocumented immigrants Dominican Sex workers

Index Keywords

education law logistic regression analysis poverty human controlled study Dominican (Dominica) sex worker Dominican Republic Haitian undocumented immigrant human tissue nonprobability sample female stigma human experiment consciousness employment public health Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85011818235&doi=10.1007%2fs12119-017-9412-3&partnerID=40&md5=7062d2b1f3961a53af020dba2ae33ab2
DOI: 10.1007/s12119-017-9412-3
ISSN: 10955143
Original Language: English