title: Sex work in geographic perspective: a multi-disciplinary approach to mapping and understanding female sex work venues in Southwest China.
abstract: This paper examines the findings from an extensive geographic mapping study of female sex work venues located in the south western Chinese city of Zigong, in Sichuan province. Drawing upon the findings from quantitative research, secondary historical sources and field notes, composed during participant observation, we provide a nuanced portrait of how the operation of sex work can be conceptualised in spatial terms, where 'space' is regarded as something socially constructed and historically contingent. The sex work geographies we analyse hold important implications for prevention work conducted in the region. When the sexual practices between sex workers and their clients are viewed against a wider geographic and historical backdrop, focus shifts from the properties and intentionalities of individuals towards the kinds of spaces where sex work operates, the organisation of which are underpinned by economic forces that have given rise to the rapid proliferation of small urban spaces in contemporary China.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , MB , Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorway
authors.affiliation: b Department of Communication , University of Texas at San Antonio , San Antonio , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Shamshad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: a Center for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , MB , Canada.
authors.forename: Claudyne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chevrier
authors.affiliation: a Center for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , MB , Canada.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.affiliation: c Department of Health and Social Behaviour , West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University , Chengdu , People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Juying
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: c Department of Health and Social Behaviour , West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University , Chengdu , People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: a Center for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , MB , Canada.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blanchard
authors.affiliation: a Center for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , MB , Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D062305:Geographic Mapping; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D000071069:Multiple Chronic Conditions; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work; D060386:Sex Workers; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: China; Geographic mapping; HIV prevention; female sex workers; teahouse