Vulnerabilities faced by the children of sex workers in two Mexico–US border cities: a retrospective study on sexual violence, substance use and HIV risk

Abstract

Most studies of female sex workers (FSWs) conducted in the Mexico–US border region have focused on individual HIV risk, centered on sexual behaviors and substance abuse patterns. Little attention has been drawn to the reality that sex workers are often parents whose children potentially face vulnerabilities unique to their family situation. The objective of the present study was to identify the vulnerabilities faced by the children of FSWs in two Mexican–US border cities. From 2008 to 2010, 628 FSW-injection drug users underwent interviewer-administered surveys and HIV/STI testing. Approximately one in five participants (20%) reported having a parent involved in sex work and majority referred it was their mother (88%). Close to one-third of participants (31%) reported first injecting drugs <18 years of age, and 33% reported they began working regularly as a prostitute <18 years of age. First drinking alcohol <18 years old (AOR = 1.87, 95%CI: 1.13–3.08), lifetime cocaine use (AOR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.09–2.84), ever being forced or coerced into non-consensual sex as a minor (<18 years of age; AOR = 1.54, 95%CI: 1.01–2.35), and injecting drugs with used syringes in the prior month (AOR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.07–2.49) were the factors associated with having had a parent involved in sex work. These findings begin to lay the groundwork for understanding the potential vulnerabilities faced by the children of sex workers. Understanding these potential needs is necessary for creating relevant, evidence-based interventions focused on supporting these women.

Keywords:

• female sex workers
• injection drug users
• child sexual abuse
• children of sex workers
• –Mexico–US border region

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of study participants and staff, including Prevencasa A.C., and Federacion Mexicana de Asociaciones Privadas (FEMAP) and UACJ for assistance with data collection.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [grant number R01DA023877]; the Interdisciplinary Research Training Institute (IRTI) [grant number R25DA026401]; Fogarty International (FIC) [grant number D43TW008633]; and the NIDA US–Mexico Drug Abuse Prevention Research Fellowship.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [grant number R01DA023877]; the Interdisciplinary Research Training Institute (IRTI) [grant number R25DA026401]; Fogarty International (FIC) [grant number D43TW008633]; and the NIDA US–Mexico Drug Abuse Prevention Research Fellowship.