Demographic Characteristics and Life Course Experience of Brothel-Based Female Sex Workers

T. Fariha¹ , S.B. Rustam² , S.B. Rustam³

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.6 , Issue.5 , pp.48-53, May-2020

Online published on May 31, 2020

Copyright © T. Fariha, S.B. Rustam, S.B. Rustam . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

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Abstract :
Aim: The study aimed to identify the demographic characteristics and life course experience of brothel-based female sex workers (FSWs). Objective: The objective of the study was to find out the demographic characteristics, substance use, knowledge about HIV, and violence experienced by the female sex workers at the brothel. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted for six months in Daulatdia brothel under the Rajbari district and Rathkhola brothel under the Faridpur district. 110 samples were collected through a purposive sampling technique. Result: This study found 26.75 was the mean age of the respondents. Among the participants 55.5% were illiterate, 26.4% were accomplished primary education, and the rest of the 18.2% were completed secondary education. Participants who experienced physical and verbal violence were 64.5% and 75.5% respectively. A significant association was explored between the living area of the participants and verbal violence experienced by female sex workers (P<0.005). A strong significant association was revealed between the causes of accepting this profession and Physical violence (P<0.01). Conclusion: This study conducted on a small sample of Brothel-based FSWs in two brothels. The major problem facing FSWs in Bangladesh likely physical violence and verbal violence. Besides, most of the FSWs were addicted to cigarette smoking, alcohol, and drugs. They are not so much aware of using condoms.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Female sex workers, Prostitution, Brothel, Sex industry, Commercial sex workers

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