Substance abuse among commercial sex workers : a case study of Musina, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The abuse of substance is rampant among populations at risk particularly sex workers, with adverse risks and harms. The relationship between substance abuse and sex work is intricate, with some people engaging in sex work to sustain their substance abusing behaviors or using substances to cope with the challenges faced in sex work. The study was conducted in Musina, a border town which is regarded as a socioeconomic hub for South Africa and Zimbabwe. The research aimed at exploring substance abuse among commercial sex workers in Musina, and the objectives were to assess the nexus between substance abuse and sex work and to appraise the risks and harms of substance abuse in sex work. A qualitative research approach guided by the explorative and descriptive research designs was employed. Participants were identified using the snow balling sampling technique and convenience sampling method, with ten (10) participants interviewed. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. The study found that substance abusing behaviors among sex workers in Musina are largely due to trapping factors within the sex work profession. The living and working environments in sex workers in Musina are infested with substances such that abusing substances is inevitable. Sex workers are frequently offered substances by their clients and potential clients, with the gesture of substance offering being part of the seduction and hiring process. Abusing substances further protracts the risks and harms of sex work, with the research learning that there is high incidences of risk sexual behaviors, physical and sexual violence and arrests In order to address the challenges of sex work and substance abuse, measures should be taken on both primary prevention and secondary intervention level. Prevention strategies will aim at avoiding entry into sex work providing asylum assistance services to desperate female migrants, empowerment initiatives for women, identifying at risks women in communities. Intervention programs will minimize the risks and harms of substance abuse in sex work and they include harm reduction initiatives which reduces the adverse effects of substance abuse, information sharing, keeping safe in the streets and aggressive policing against illicit substances.