Open AccessSevere Food Insecurity, Gender-Based Violence, Homelessness, and HIV Risk among Street-based Female Sex Workers in Baltimore, Maryland
Author(s) -
Sahnah Lim,
Ju Nyeong Park,
Deanna Kerrigan,
Susan G. Sherman
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
aids and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.994
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1573-3254
pISSN - 1090-7165
DOI - 10.1007/s10461-019-02643-0
Subject(s) - sex work , vulnerability (computing) , odds , environmental health , public health , health psychology , food insecurity , logistic regression , condom , medicine , food security , gerontology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , geography , syphilis , computer security , nursing , archaeology , family medicine , computer science , agriculture
Despite established links between food insecurity and HIV outcomes, no studies have examined the role of food insecurity among female sex workers (FSW) in the United States (US). The aim of this exploratory study was to identify correlates (structural vulnerability and health factors) of severe food insecurity among street-based FSW in Baltimore, Maryland using multivariable logistic regression. In adjusted models, FSW with severe food insecurity were at greater odds of recent homelessness, physical intimate partner violence, client condom refusal, and HIV infection. Multi-sectoral approaches must take into consideration the co-occurrence of structural and health vulnerabilities to food insecurity among FSW in the US, including those that address violence, housing, and HIV.