Alcohol and Other Drug Use, Partner Violence, and Mental Health Problems Among Female Sex Workers in Southwest China

Abstract

In this study we investigated the association between mental health problems and negative experiences among female sex workers (FSWs) in China. A total of 1,022 FSWs completed a self-administered survey on their demographic characteristics, mental health status, substance use behaviors, and experiences of partner violence. We found that alcohol use was independently predictive of mental health problems when both partner violence and illicit drug use were accounted for in the multivariate logistic regression models. The findings underscore the urgent need for effective alcohol reduction interventions and mental health promotion programs among FSWs in China and other developing countries.