Prostitutes Savannakhet, Skank in Savannakhet, Laos

Thesis for doctoral degree PhD. Of those who had been pregnant in the last six months,

The main sources of income in the province are from gold mining, cement production, rubber plants, and sugar production [ 13 ]. The bar owners or mamasans pimps in the target districts are involved in providing health information and supporting FSWs to have regular check-ups for STI and to visit health facilities when ill.

In Prostitutes Savannakhet, a drop-in centre was established in Kaysone Phomvihan. Activities are designed for high-risk groups such as FSWs, blood donors, migrant workers and those requesting anonymous tests. Ina voluntary counseling and testing VCT program for HIV was implemented and about 3, individuals have Prostitutes Savannakhet tested so far. The counselling and testing is implemented in a confidential manner and available to patients who are in need.

Behaviour communication change BCCcondom distribution, advocacy for condom use, and treatment of reproductive tract infections RTI and STIs are free of charge and in those activities reached about two-thirds of the estimated FSWs in the province [ 14 ]. However, if medicines are limited or not available the patients will get a prescription and be requested to buy the recommended medicines in a pharmacy using their own money.

Kaysone Phomvihan district was selected as the study site because there are many entertainment places where FSWs work and live in this district. Venue-based FSWs are women Prostitutes Savannakhet are officially employed as hostesses to work Prostitutes Savannakhet entertainment places e. Sex workers may entertain the clients for a shorter or longer period. If the woman wants to join the client after the bar has closed, they can also go together to other settings. Prostitutes Savannakhet data collection methods were employed.

The Prostitutes Savannakhet team consisted of two Swedish researchers, ST a social scientist and EF a midwife, both specialists in international public health research, specifically sexual and reproductive health aspects, two Lao researchers KP, VS both with a medical specialty, one peer educator from the drop-in centre who previously used to Prostitutes Savannakhet as sex worker and who had daily contact with FSWs to Prostitutes Savannakhet condoms and provide health information, and finally one female interviewer with a background in social sciences.

Before the study started, the research team conducted a mapping procedure to identify entertainment establishments and FSW in the study area.

This was done in a previous study conducted by the authors from January to March, Although we had previously conducted a mapping in the area, the number Prostitutes Savannakhet FSWs may change since the women often change location and some entertainment places may have closed during the study.

Therefore, we obtained information about FSWs and number of entertainment places from the drop-in centre as the centre has regular contact with FSWs using peer educators and has monthly records of numbers of Prostitutes Savannakhet and bars. Furthermore, we compared the information from the centre to data from our mapping which was similar. During this initiation period, the Lao research team members visited and talked to the FSWs several times in order to create rapport and build trust.

A three-day Prostitutes Savannakhet course on how to perform qualitative interviews and moderate group discussion was conducted for the research assistants. This training was lead by EF and the first author. The interview guide had questions related to Prostitutes Savannakhet background of the informants, their views about the working situation and connected risks, and how the FSWs coped with their situation.

The first author and the interviewer conducted one in-depth interview and one FGD each in order to test the interview questionnaire, the FGD guide, and the procedures for sampling and data collection e. The results of these pilot interviews and discussions Prostitutes Savannakhet shared and discussed with the rest of the research team.

Minor modifications of the guide were made in order to ensure that the guide was suitable, culturally acceptable, and the words Prostitutes Savannakhet not too sensitive. The interactions in the FGDs were also open and free.

The results from these pilot interviews and FGDs are included in the analysis. Women who stated that they were presently working as sex workers and who were willing to be interviewed and participate in Prostitutes Savannakhet FGD were recruited. The women were purposively selected from different entertainment establishments based on age, marital status, duration of sex work, and type of workplace.

The FGDs and the individual interviews were carried out during March to April in a private room arranged by Prostitutes Savannakhet research team. The first author moderated two FGDs Prostitutes Savannakhet the female interviewer moderated three.

The number of participants in the FGDs ranged Prostitutes Savannakhet 7 and 9 [ 17 ]. Women who provided rich information during group discussions, e. The first author conducted three interviews and the female interviewer conducted four.

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The data collection was stopped when no new information from FGDs and KIs could be retrieved; in order words, at the point of saturation. In all, five FGDs with 39 women and seven interviews were performed. The tape-recorded group discussions and interviews were transcribed into Laotian by the female interviewer and the first author.

Two interviews and one FGD were translated into English and shared with the English-speaking research team members in order to understand the data and provide comments during the analysis. The transcripts were Prostitutes Savannakhet using latent content analysis, which is a stepwise analytical process, focusing on description and interpretation of underlying meanings of the text [ 18 ].

The first author initiated the analysis by reading the transcripts several times in order to obtain overall meaning of the text. Through an inductive process, meaning Prostitutes Savannakhet were identified. Data were condensed afterwards and labeled with a code. The codes were compared and discussed until we reached consensus.

Codes that reflected the core meanings in the text were Prostitutes Savannakhet into categories. Two themes, perceived risks and strategies to reduce risks, and perceived benefits and strategies to increase benefits emerged. In order to reduce misinterpretations the transcriptions and the taped-recorded interviews were used side-by-side throughout analysis. The research team discussed the procedures and the findings until they agreed on categories and themes. The sex workers told Prostitutes Savannakhet about their working situations, including their perceived risks.

But they also talked about the benefits of sex work, as well as the strategies that they used to a reduce risks and b increase benefits. Below, we describe this holistic view of the working environment of sex workers in Savannakhet province from their own perspective.

For each of these risks, participants had a set of strategies for reducing Prostitutes Savannakhet Table 1. These risks and related strategies are presented Prostitutes Savannakhet. This is very Prostitutes Savannakhet. Some women reported Prostitutes Savannakhet they did not accept alternative sex acts requested by their clients because of the risk involved. Sex workers had different strategies for reducing risk.

Condom breakage or clients removing the condom during sex was difficult to prevent. To manage this, a woman carried her own condoms that she knew were reliable:. Women learned through experience how to avoid making mistakes with condoms, such as observing if clients used reliable condoms, checking the expiration date, and double-checking that the condom was still in place:.

Another woman explained that pregnancy Prostitutes Savannakhet of wedlock also meant a risk of social stigma and great shame:. If I use both condoms Prostitutes Savannakhet oral contraceptive pills it is safer. Another woman commented that when having sex with a boyfriend it is not possible to Prostitutes Savannakhet a condom, thus increasing the risk of pregnancy. Therefore she used the withdrawal method:.

One strategy for avoiding being a social outcast due to pregnancy was to have an abortion. This is illustrated below:. The third major source of risk was Prostitutes Savannakhet from clients. This included non-paid coerced sex, sexual harassment, rejecting use of condoms, slapping or pinching, Prostitutes Savannakhet abuse, threats with a knife or some other objects, threatening that money and belongings would be taken, and rape or gang rape. Sex workers reported several strategies to avoid violence from customers, such as choosing clients carefully, and doing what clients asked for.

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One strategy was to carefully watch clients before deciding whether to have sex with them or not:. Women reported that the risk of physical assault by clients was greater when clients tried to get Prostitutes Savannakhet or free sex and additional time without paying. One woman illustrated how this risk could be reduced:. Giving up the sex could have led to me being beaten. The women also suggested that Prostitutes Savannakhet a cell phone was a security measure when they went outside the working place with a client since it could be used if help was needed.

Some stated that being able to visit a place where a security guard who can easily be asked for help during the service is available can also protect against violence. Sex workers reported how they feared being arrested by police, especially on national holidays such as Lao National Day, during elections and on military days. Many complained that although Prostitutes Savannakhet the official documents were completed and they had paid their working Prostitutes Savannakhet village fees, the police still claimed the women were breaking the law.

Bribes were Prostitutes Savannakhet reported:. I managed to do this and the problem was solved. Women said that Prostitutes Savannakhet in entertainment places increased the likelihood of being judged with disrespect due to perceived improper behavior. Sex workers also worried about the impact of their work on love relationships. They feared being rejected and also being divorced if the profession was revealed after marriage.

Such fears caused uncertainty and also made women leave love relationships when there was a risk of being disclosed. One woman described how her social image could stop her from marrying:. In her opinion, some mind about this and some do not:. Sex workers also did not visit their families when sick in order to avoid stigma.

They reported that people in the village stigmatized women returning to the village in poor health and often associated ill-health in women with having a deviant behaviour like selling sex.

In order to Prostitutes Savannakhet stigma and disgrace the sex workers avoided going home when sick. On the other hand, some sex workers said that having money and wearing expensive clothes was Prostitutes Savannakhet an effective method to reduce stigma. One woman said confidently that money could give her social status, despite Prostitutes Savannakhet profession:. When Prostitutes Savannakhet have money I can Prostitutes Savannakhet expensive clothes and use a good mobile phone.

Participation in village activities when going home was mentioned as an opportunity to get in Prostitutes Savannakhet with people they knew. Another major source of risk cited by sex workers was being cheated.

Those who cheated the women were fellow friends, clients, and boyfriends. Some women mentioned that friends had introduced them into Prostitutes Savannakhet work without mentioning that they were expected to carry out sex work, as shown in the following quote:.

Such unfamiliar environments increased the risk of being cheated and blackmailed by clients. Sex workers commonly reported that they were refused payment, or received lower payment than negotiated.

Prostitutes Savannakhet, Prostitutes in Savannakhet, Savannahkhet

Clients could also force Prostitutes Savannakhet workers to have sex for free by using a knife and or Prostitutes Savannakhet sharp object as well as taking her money, mobile phone or other belongings. Strategies to avoid being robbed were to carry small sums of money and be clear in negotiations. It can get you in trouble.

This study aimed to explore the working environment and perceived risks among FSWs in Savannakhet province in Laos.

Other sex workers said that the Prostitutes Savannakhet important thing to discuss was the type of service, the price and the length of the service before the agreement was made:. Being cheated by pimps was rarely reported.

Prostitution in Laos is regarded as a criminal activity and can be subject to severe strategies – views from female sex workers in Savannakhet, Laos". HIV HIV N / A HIV N / A HIV ELISA, WB ELISA, WB ELISA * 2 WOMEN + UH VIENTIANE PROSTITUTES + OH SAVANNAKHET PRO.

Some sex workers explained that pimps asking Prostitutes Savannakhet money or payment for being in the bar were not cheating but provided a contribution Prostitutes Savannakhet their business. The final source of risks mentioned by sex workers was social and economic insecurity.

Female sex workers in Savannakhet, Laos · Ketkesone Phrasisomabth, E. Faxelid, S. Thomsen · Published · Medicine. Telephones of Hookers Savannakhet Laos Savannahkhet Prostitutes Savannakhet. I very much like living in Vientiane, it Prostitutes.

Women indicated that financial problems imposed mental and emotional distress because of less resources and ability to support their families. Causes of financial problems were health conditions e. Women frequently reported not sharing Prostitutes Savannakhet and ideas about health issues such as treatment of STIs, testing for HIV or pregnancy testing with their peers because of fears of being disclosed, leading to a lower income or even loss of work. A beer bar sex worker aged 30 from FGD5 said:.

Also I may be asked to stop working for a while, or even not be allowed to work in this bar if the bar owner knows about this. Many participants reported that they sometimes fought and competed amongst themselves for generous clients.

This created mistrust between those working at the same venue:. Even romantic relationships were avoided because of the risk of economic loss. It was Prostitutes Savannakhet in all FGDs that engaging in sex work is for money but not for love.

Having Prostitutes Savannakhet love relationship takes time away from making money:. In addition Prostitutes Savannakhet telling us about the Prostitutes Savannakhet of sex work, participants spontaneously reported Prostitutes Savannakhet categories of benefits related to their work: 1 financial security and ways to increase income, 2 fulfilling social obligations and getting self-value and 3 sexual pleasure and strategies to increase pleasure Table 2.

These benefits and strategies to increase benefits are illustrated below. Participants reported that sex work is an easy and good source of income compared to Prostitutes Savannakhet jobs. They said that sex work was suitable for a low-educated person Prostitutes Savannakhet working in a bar does not require formal training or skills and is quickly learned.

I spent time observing and asked Prostitutes Savannakhet friend who worked in the same bar. The sex workers mentioned strategies for increasing their income e. Sex workers explained that men want to visit Prostitutes Savannakhet workers because sex at home is not pleasurable and being nice to clients will give more benefits. One young woman applies this concept at first encounter with clients in the following way:. I immediately invite them for a seat. I serve a glass of cold water first, talk to them softly and show my respect throughout the service.

Another benefit from sex work that participants reported was fulfilling social obligations and getting self-value. Most women said that they engaged in sex Prostitutes Savannakhet to support their Prostitutes Savannakhet and care Prostitutes Savannakhet the parents. They regularly sent money to their families and the amount depended on how much they could earn.

My parents are farmers and they cannot raise many of us. Some women had dropped out of school because Prostitutes Savannakhet needed to find a job Prostitutes Savannakhet order to support their family.

This motivated many of them to engage in sex work. Some find the work very hard but a necessary fact of life as illustrated in the following citation:. Being able to support the family made participants proud and gave them potential future social worth, despite the stigma they experienced in the present. When they were sick it was hard for them to pay for health care.

As a daughter, we Prostitutes Savannakhet dare to see such them suffer. A third Prostitutes Savannakhet of sex work reported by many participants was sexual pleasure. Prostitutes Savannakhet usually finish quick, but for me it takes time. In contrast, many Prostitutes Savannakhet women argued that sex work gave them not only money but also sexual pleasure and fun:. Prostitutes Savannakhet beer bar worker remarked that she preferred to have polite and handsome clients and that such Prostitutes Savannakhet could increase her sexual pleasure:.

Similar findings have been reported from Prostitutes Savannakhet settings [ 319 ]. For example, sex without a condom, and oral or anal sex could result in more money. A study from Vietnam noted that when clients refused to use a condom, FSWs charged more money and went ahead having sex without a condom [ 23 ].

However, participants perceived these risks as part of their working environment. A lesson learned from Thailand suggested that sex workers experienced violence as a result of social norms, the legal system, and politics, but they were prepared to accept violence as a condition of the working environment [ 19 ]. A systematic review and metasynthesis of barriers and link to negotiating consistent condom use among sex workers in Asia.

The bar owners or mama sans pimps in Prostitutes Savannakhet. More girls. Prostitutes Savannakhet. This behaviour indicates that sex workers make decisions to advance their interests.

FGD each in order to test the inter view Prostitutes Savannakhet. The results revealed that the FSWs were aware of risks but they also talked about benefits related Prostitutes Savannakhet their Prostitutes Savannakhet. Particularly, female sex workers are exposed to the risk of Prostitutes Savannakhet pregnancy, abortion Prostitutes Savannakhet their consequences.

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Risks, benefits and survival Prostitutes Savannakhet from female sex workers Prostitutes Savannakhet Savannakhet, Laos Data were con. The study was ba sed in Savannakhet province, which ha s. I managed to do this and the. Prostitutes Savannakhet This behaviour indicates that sex workers make decisions to advance their interests. So did we. In her opinion, some mind about this and some do not:.