All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Violence against female sex workers FSWs has been increasingly reported as an important determinant of HIV infection risk. This study explores the frequency of different violent experiences sexual abuse, rejection, beating and imprisonment among FSWs in Argentina and its association with condom use and HIV and T. A convenience sample of FSWs was included in a cross-sectional study conducted between October and November Sexual abuse was reported by A total of There was a higher frequency of inconsistent condom use with clients among FSWs who had experienced sexual abuse, rejection, and police detention.
A higher frequency of HIV and T. The study shows for the first time the frequency of different violent situations among FSWs in Argentina. The association between violence against sex workers, condom use and STI prevalence demonstrated here calls for measures to reduce stigma and violence against FSWs.
Such violent experiences may increase vulnerability to STI through coerced unprotected sex. Although sex work is a universal phenomenon, it is also illegal in most countries.
Consequently, sex workers in many regions may have little or no legal protection and may be susceptible to human rights violations, including different kinds of violence [1] β [3]. Female sex workers FSWs are particularly vulnerable to different kinds of violence in line with the high prevalence of gender-based violence occurring in many countries [5].
Gender-based violence has generally been recognized as a key public health problem associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality as a result of its psychological and medical sequelae including sexually transmitted infections STI [6]. A high frequency of different violent experiences against FSWs has been increasingly reported in several settings, also as an important determinant of HIV infection risk [7] β [14].
