title: Reduction of health-related risks among female commercial sex workers: learning from their life and working experiences.
abstract: We performed this study to determine both positive and negative impacts on the health of sex workers working on the street. We conducted this study using key informant and focus group interviews in bars and streets in Mozambique. The interviewed sex workers were aware about the risks and protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and they consistently used condoms. Most suffered from harmful behavior, including violence and assault by both customers and other commercial sex workers. We found that sex workers' own skills and knowledge acquired through experience potentially could be developed into life skills that could save and protect their lives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan. mohnishi@nagasaki-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Mayumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.forename: Ermelinda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Notiço
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009073:Mozambique; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014754:Violence; D055815:Young Adult