From One Generation to the Next: Exploring the Relationship Between Second-Generation Sex Work, Minor Entry Into Sex Work, Sexual Violence, Substance Abuse and HIV Risk Among Fsws From Two Mexican – U.S. Border Cities

Background: Studies conducted in other global regions indicate that pre-sex work factors (e.g., abuse from family or partners) represent vulnerabilities to sex work entry via force/coercion and/or as a minor; these forms of sex work entry consistently relate to elevated HIV risk. Such research has not been conducted in Latin America, and no research from any region has examined to what extent having a parent involved in sex work might increase risk for 1) entry to sex work as a minor; 2) sexual violence; or 3) substance abuse and other HIV risk. Understanding the potential intergenerational nature of sex work, violence and HIV may be particularly important in a region where substance use is common among FSWs and >90% of FSW-IDUs have children (median = 3 children).

Subjects and Methods: To explore the roles of familial factors in the nature and timing of entry to sex work, sexual violence and current sexual and drug – related risk behaviors and HIV infection, analyses of in-depth interviews (n=30) with FSWs with a sex worker parent and survey data on familial exposure to sex work and HIV/STI testing among a venue-based sample of FSWs (n=600 in the Mexican - U.S. border cities of Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez) will be conducted between November 2012 to February 2013.

Results:Qualitative results regarding vulnerability factors for minor entry to sex work as well as sexual and drug-related HIV-risk will be presented in combination with quantitative findings regarding the associations of having had a parent involved in sex work with timing of sex work entry, sexual violence, drug history, HIV risk and HIV infection based on multiple regression analyses.    

Conclusions: Resulting data will inform the development of programs and policies to reduce the risks for minor entry to sex work, sexual violence and HIV risk among this vulnerable yet unstudied population, both along the U.S-Mexico border and in other global regions for future generations.