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Sexual Exploitation as a Minor, Violence, and HIV/STI Risk among Women Trading Sex in St. Petersburg and Orenburg, Russia

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  • Lianne A. Urada

    (Department of Medicine, Center on Gender Equity and Health, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr. MC0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-050, USA
    School of Social Work, San Diego State University; 5500 Campanile Dr., Hepner Hall Room 119, San Diego, CA 92182-4119, USA)

  • Maia Rusakova

    (Department of Sociology, St Petersburg University, Universitetskaya Emb., 7–9, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia)

  • Veronika Odinokova

    (Sociological Institute, Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences, st. 7th Krasnoarmeyskaya, 25/14, St. Petersburg 190005, Russia)

  • Kiyomi Tsuyuki

    (Department of Medicine, Center on Gender Equity and Health, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr. MC0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-050, USA)

  • Anita Raj

    (Department of Medicine, Center on Gender Equity and Health, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr. MC0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-050, USA)

  • Jay G. Silverman

    (Department of Medicine, Center on Gender Equity and Health, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr. MC0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-050, USA)

Abstract

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a major risk factor for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infections (HIV/STI), violence and other health concerns, yet few studies have examined these associations in Russia until now. This study examines the prevalence of CSE (those entering the sex trade as a minor) among women in the sex trade in Russia and how exposures and behaviors related to violence and HIV/STI structural risks differ from those who entered the sex trade as an adult. Women in the sex trade ( N = 896) in St. Petersburg and Orenburg, Russia were recruited via time-location sampling and completed structured surveys. Adjusted logistic regression analyses assessed associations between CSE victimization and HIV risk-related exposures. Of the 654 participants who provided their age at first sexual exploitation, 11% reported CSE prior to age 18. Those who reported CSE were more likely to be organized by others and to be prohibited from leaving a room or house and from using condoms; three-quarters experienced rape when trading sex; a third were involved in pornography before age 18 and they had less education if they entered the sex trade as a minor. In adjusted analyses, those entering the sex trade as a minor were significantly more likely than those entering the sex trade as an adult to report drug use prior to age 18 (AOR = 5.75, 95% CI = 2.53–13.09) to have ≥5 clients/day (past 12 months; AOR = 3.55, 95% CI = 1.56–8.08), to report receiving police assistance (AOR: 3.10, 95% CI = 1.26–7.54), and to have fewer experiences of police extortion (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.10–1.24). They were four times more likely to participate in pornography before the age of 18 (AOR = 4.08, 95% CI = 1.32, 12.60) and three times more likely to have been sexually abused as child (AOR = 2.93, 95% CI = 1.27, 7.54). Overall, entry as a minor was related to greater risk for victimization and an inability to protect oneself from STI/HIV.

Suggested Citation

  • Lianne A. Urada & Maia Rusakova & Veronika Odinokova & Kiyomi Tsuyuki & Anita Raj & Jay G. Silverman, 2019. "Sexual Exploitation as a Minor, Violence, and HIV/STI Risk among Women Trading Sex in St. Petersburg and Orenburg, Russia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:22:p:4343-:d:284512
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chisolm-Straker, Makini & Sze, Jeremy & Einbond, Julia & White, James & Stoklosa, Hanni, 2019. "Screening for human trafficking among homeless young adults," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 72-79.
    2. Lianne A. Urada & Janie Simmons & Betty Wong & Kiyomi Tsuyuki & Gerlita Condino-Enrera & Laufred I. Hernandez & Nymia Pimentel Simbulan & Anita Raj, 2016. "A human rights-focused HIV intervention for sex workers in Metro Manila, Philippines: evaluation of effects in a quantitative pilot study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(8), pages 945-957, November.
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    Cited by:

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