Homelessness among a cohort of women in street-based sex work: the need for safer environment interventions
2011

Homelessness Among Women in Street-Based Sex Work

Sample size: 252 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Duff Putu, Deering Kathleen, Gibson Kate, Tyndall Mark, Shannon Kate

Primary Institution: British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

Hypothesis

What are the prevalence and correlates of homelessness among street-based female sex workers in Vancouver?

Conclusion

The study highlights a critical need for safer environment interventions to support homeless female sex workers and improve their access to secure housing.

Supporting Evidence

  • 43.3% of participants reported homelessness over an 18-month follow-up.
  • Younger age and sexual violence by non-commercial partners were associated with homelessness.
  • Women who serviced more clients per week were more likely to be homeless.

Takeaway

Many women who work on the streets for sex do not have a home, and this study shows that they face many dangers because of it.

Methodology

The study used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to analyze data from a community-based prospective cohort.

Potential Biases

Social desirability bias may affect the accuracy of self-reported data.

Limitations

Findings may not be generalizable to off-street sex workers or male sex workers, and self-report data may be subject to bias.

Participant Demographics

51% Caucasian, 49% non-Caucasian, median age 35 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95%CI 1.00-2.31

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2458-11-643

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