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A qualitative study on health problems and access to health care among female victims of sex-trafficking in Mumbai, India
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Marissa Kaloga, MSW,
College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, College of Social Work, Columbus, OH
Kamathipura is considered to be Asia’s largest red-light area located in Mumbai, India. Majority of sex workers in Kamathipura are minor girls trafficked from other states of India and from neighboring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh. This qualitative research explored health histories of 15 sex workers who were trafficked into Kamathipura. The specific research objectives were to: a) explore sex workers process of entry into Kamathipura (trafficking) b) explore sex workers health problems c) study the relationship between sex trafficking and health-based vulnerabilities of sex workers. Data was collected using in-depth interviewing techniques and analysis consisted of reading the data line-by-line, identifying themes and coding categories to uncover relationships between themes and categories. Majority of the respondents were trafficked into Kamathipura as minors the average age being 13. Since their entry into sex work, respondents suffered various physical health-based problems ranging from seasonal illnesses, tuberculosis to HIV/AIDS and mild to severe mental illnesses. Trafficking, seclusion from society and confinement hindered their access to health-care. Majority of the respondents stated that they saw the doctor for the first time when they were either pregnant or extremely sick. For minor illnesses and injuries, they took medicines that were given to them by their pimps or brothel owners. This study highlights vulnerable health conditions of trafficked victims and addresses gaps in health interventions for sex workers in India. The study also proposes social work practice and policy changes for reaching out to victims and addressing their needs at an earlier stage.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify health issues among victims of sex trafficking in India
Evaluate the lack of health care among victims of sex trafficking in India
Assess rigorous qualitative research methodology for conducting research in an international setting
Keyword(s): Health Care Access, Sex Workers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Lindsay Gezinski is an assistant professor at the University of Utah College of Social Work where her work focuses on sexual and reproductive economies. Specifically, her sex work and trafficking research is conducted around gender-based violence, safety, and health in a globalized world. She has conducted sex work and trafficking research for six years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
