Sex work and substance abuse have been independently observed to compound the dangers of risky sexual behaviors, with the combined abuse of substance and sex work further protracting the dangers of risky sexual behaviors. Substances are regarded as inhibitors of consistence and correct condom use and are associated with multiple sexual partners. Substance abuse among sex workers is generally high because of the risky environments and the need to deal with psychological trauma of sex work. This paper explores the risky sexual behaviors among substance abusing sex workers in Musina Border Town of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used, with ten participants interviewed. Sex workers by virtue of their work have multiple sex partners and the dangers of sexual partners are made worse by abusing substances which results in inconsistent use of protection, multiple sexual partners, anal and oral sex, sexual violence, etc. The paper concludes by arguing that there should be a comprehensive awareness programs on the risks of substance abuse and sex work, a harm reduction framework should be developed to minimize the risks and sex work should be legalized to protect sex workers.
Anonymous (2014) Regional strategy for Southern Africa 2014-2016. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
Afsar, K.P., N. Motazedian, M. Sayadi, N. Motazedian, and M. Sabet (2014) “Sexual behaviors, knowledge and attitudes of female sex workers’ towards HIV/AIDS in Shiraz”. Journal Health Science Surveillance System 2, 3, 99–106.
Beduk, T., H. Unlu, and V. Duyan (2011) “AIDS knowledge and risky sexual behaviors among registered female sex workers in Turkey”. Turkish Journal of Medical Science 41, 3, 521– 531. doi:10.3906/sag-1009-1154
Burns, N. and S.K. Grove (2005) The practice of nursing research: conduct, critique, and utilization. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier and Saunders.
Campbell, R. (2003) “Risk and harm issues in social research (Position Paper)”. Human Subjects Policy Conference. University of Illinois, United States of America.
Chinyakata, R.N, N. Raselekoane, and L. Gwatimba (2018) “A study of the effects of Zimbabwean youth migration on Musina Area, South Africa”. The Social Sciences 13, 2, 357–362.
Chikoko, W. (2014) “Commercial ‘sex work’ and substance abuse among adolescent street children of Harare Central Business District”. Journal of Social Development in Africa 29, 2, 57–80.
Cusick, L., A. Martin, and T. May (2003) “Vulnerability and involvement in drug use and sex work”. In D. a. S. D. The research, ed. Home Office Research Study 268.
Deering, K. et al. (2014) “A systematic review of the correlates of violence against sex workers”. American Journal of Public Health 104, 5, 42–54.
https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.301909
Degenhardt et al. (2007) The global epidemiology of methamphetamine injecting: a review of the evidence on use and associations with HIV and other harm. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW.
DKT (2012) Ethiopia behavioural change impact survey, female sex workers round one, Ethiopia. http://www.dktethiopia.org/publications?page=2 Accessed May 22 2017.
Ditmore, M. H. (2013) When sex work and drug use overlap: considerations for advocacy and practice. London: Harm Reduction International.
El-Bassel, N., R. F. Schilling, K. L. Irwin, S. Faruque, L. Gilbert, J. Von Bargen, Y. Serrano, and R. Edlin (1997) “Sex trading and psychological distress among women recruited from the streets of Harlem”. American Journal of Public Health 87, 1, 66–70.
https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.87.1.66
Elford (2009) Migrants’ Needs and Vulnerabilities in the Limpopo Province, Republic of South Africa. A Report by the International Organization for Migration Regional Office for Southern Africa. Pretoria, South Africa.
Frey, L. R. F, H. B. Carl, and L. K. Gary (2000) Investigating Communication: An Introduction to Research methods. 2nd ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Gilchrist, G., J. Cameron, and J. Scoular (2005) “Crack and cocaine use among female prostitutes in Glasgow: risky business”. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy 12, 5, 381–391.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09687630500231894
Gossop, M., B. Powes, P. Griffiths, and J. Strang (1994) “Sexual behaviour and its relationship to drug-taking among prostitutes in South London”. Addiction 89, 961–970.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.1994.tb03356.x
Gould, C. and N. Fick (2008) Selling sex in Cape Town: sex work and human trafficking in a South African city. Pretoria and Tshwane: Institute for Security Studies
Guest, G., E. E. Namey, and M. L. Mitchell (2012) Collecting qualitative data: a field manual for applied research. Thousand Oaks: Sage
International Organization for Migration (2010) Wolves in sheep’s skins: a rapid assessment of human trafficking in Musina, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Available online at <https://publications.iom.int/system/files/pdf/wolves_in_a_sheep_skin.pdf>. Accessed on May 22, 2018.
Konstant, T. L., J. Rangasami, M. J. Stacey, M. L. Stewart, and C. Nogoduka (2015) “Sex workers in South Africa: methodology for a rapid population size estimation exercise”. AIDS and Behaviour 19, 1, 3–15.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0981-y
Limpopo Government Communications. (2013) Youth month campaign key messages. Available online at <www.gcis.gov.za/sites/www.gcis.gov.za/files/My_District_Issue_67.pdf>. Accessed on June 22, 2017.
Mac AIDS (2015) “Prevention of mother to child transmission needs of female sex workers study”. Mac AIDS Fund Research Brief, June 2015.
MacNealy, M. S. (1999) Strategies for empirical research in writing. New York: Longman.
National Advisory Committee on Drugs (2009) drug use, sex work and the risk environment in Dublin. Dublin: Stationery Office.
Needle, R., N. Weatherby, B. Brown, R. Booth, M. Williams, J. Watters, et al. (1995) “The reliability of self-reported HIV risk behaviors of injection and non-injection drug users”. Psychology of Addictive Behavior 9, 242–250.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.9.4.242
Olisah, V. O., O. Adekeye, T. L. Sheikh, and A. J. Yusuf (2009) “Alcohol-related problems and high risk sexual behavior in patients with HIV/AIDS attending medical clinic in a Nigerian university teaching hospital”. African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies 8, 1, 17–22.
https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v8i1.47409
Overs. C. (2002) Sex workers: part of the solution. An analysis of HIV prevention programming to prevent HIV transmission during commercial sex in developing countries. Available online at <https://www.who.int/hiv/topics/vct/sw_toolkit/115solution.pdf>. Accessed on May 22, 2018.
Rangasami, J, T. Konstant, and S. Manoek (2016) Police abuse of sex workers: data from cases reported to the Women’s Legal Centre between 2011 and 2015. Cape Town: Women’s Legal Centre.
Ritchie, J., J. Lewis, M. C. Nicholls, and R. Ormston (2013) Qualitative research practices: a guide for social science students and researchers. London: Sage.
Scorgie F, et al. (2013a) “Human rights abuses and collective resilience among sex workers in four African countries: a qualitative study”. Globalization and Health 9, 33. Available online at <http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/content/9/1/33>. Accessed on May 22, 2018.
Sekaran, U. (2003) Research methods for business: a skill-building approach. 4th Ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Shannon, K., S. Strathdee, J. Shoveller, M. Rusch, T. Kerr, and M. Tyndall (2009) “Structural and environmental barriers to condom use negotiation with clients among female sex workers: implications for HIV-prevention strategies and policy”. Americal Journal of Public Health 99, 4, 1–7.
https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2007.129858
South African National AIDS Council (2013) Estimating the size of the sex worker population in South Africa. Available online at <http://www.sanac.org.za/publications/reports/ doc_download/37-national-sex- workers-report>. Accessed on May 22, 2018.
Sonke and partners (2014) Press Statement Issued by Sonke Gender Justice, SWEAT, Sisonke Sex Workers Movement and the Women’s Legal Centre, on the De Jager sentencing, 21 May 2014.
Surrat, H. L, J. A. Inciardi, S. P. Kurtz, and M. C. Kiley (2004) “Sex work and drug use in a subculture of violence”. Crime and Delinquency 50, 1, 43–59.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128703258875
Statistics South Africa (2012) South Africa statistics. Statistics South Africa. Available online at <http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/SAStatistics/SAStatistics2012.pdf>. Accessed on May 22, 2018.
Strathdee S. A. and J. K. Stockman (2010) “Epidemiology of HIV among injecting and non-injecting drug users: current trends and implications for interventions”. Current HIV/AIDS Reports 7, 2, 99–106.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-010-0043-7
UCSF, Anova Health Institute, and WRHI (2015) South African Health Monitoring Study (SAHMS), Final Report: The integrated biological and behavioral survey among female sex workers, South Africa 2013-2014. San Francisco: UCSF.
UNAIDS (2014) Global report: UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic 2010. Available online at <http://www.refworld.org/docid/4cfca9c62.html>. Accessed on March 21, 2017.
Wechsberg, W. et al. (2009) “Substance abuse, treatment needs and access among female sex Workers and non sex workers in Pretoria, South Africa”. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy 4, 1, 4–11.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1747-597X-4-11
World Health Organization (2005) Alcohol use and sexual risk behaviour: a cross-cultural study in eight countries. Geneva: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.