Longitudinal experiences and risk factors for common mental health problems and suicidal behaviours among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.
Authors: Beksinska, A. et al.
Journal: Glob Ment Health (Camb)
Volume: 9
Pages: 401-415
ISSN: 2054-4251
DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2022.44
Abstract:BACKGROUND: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of mental health problems and suicide risk. Few longitudinal studies have examined risk factors for poor mental health among FSWs. METHODS: Maisha Fiti is a longitudinal study among FSWs randomly selected from Sex Worker Outreach Programme clinics across Nairobi. Behavioural-biological survey data were collected at baseline (n = 1003, June-December 2019), midline (n = 366) (Jan-March 2020) and endline (n = 877) (June 2020-Jan 2021). Women reporting mental health problems were offered counselling services. Multivariable mixed logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with mental health problems and suicidal behaviours. RESULTS: There was a decline in the proportion of women reporting any mental health problem (depression and/or anxiety and/or PTSD) (baseline: 29.9%, midline: 13.3%, endline: 11.8%). There was strong evidence that any mental health problem was associated with recent hunger (aOR 1.99; 95% CI 1.37-2.88) and recent violence from non-intimate partners (2.23; 95% CI 1.55-3.19). Recent suicidal behaviour prevalence was similar across survey rounds (baseline: 10.2%; midline: 10.2%; endline: 10.4%), and was associated with recent violence from non-intimate partners (aOR 1.96; 95% CI 1.31-2.95), recent hunger (aOR 1.69; 95% CI 1.15-2.47) and having an additional employment to sex work (aOR 1.50; 95% CI 1.00-2.23). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found a decline in mental health problems but high levels of persistent suicidal behaviours among FSWs. Syndemic risk factors including food insecurity and violence were longitudinally associated with mental health problems and recent suicidal behaviours. There is a need for accessible mental health services for FSWs, alongside structural interventions addressing poverty and violence.
Source: PubMed
Longitudinal experiences and risk factors for common mental health problems and suicidal behaviours among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Beksinska, A. et al.
Journal: GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH
ISSN: 2054-4251
DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2022.44
Source: Web of Science (Lite)
Longitudinal experiences and risk factors for common mental health problems and suicidal behaviours among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.
Authors: Beksinska, A. et al.
Journal: Global mental health (Cambridge, England)
Volume: 9
Pages: 401-415
eISSN: 2054-4251
ISSN: 2054-4251
DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2022.44
Abstract:Background
Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of mental health problems and suicide risk. Few longitudinal studies have examined risk factors for poor mental health among FSWs.Methods
Maisha Fiti is a longitudinal study among FSWs randomly selected from Sex Worker Outreach Programme clinics across Nairobi. Behavioural-biological survey data were collected at baseline (n = 1003, June-December 2019), midline (n = 366) (Jan-March 2020) and endline (n = 877) (June 2020-Jan 2021). Women reporting mental health problems were offered counselling services. Multivariable mixed logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with mental health problems and suicidal behaviours.Results
There was a decline in the proportion of women reporting any mental health problem (depression and/or anxiety and/or PTSD) (baseline: 29.9%, midline: 13.3%, endline: 11.8%). There was strong evidence that any mental health problem was associated with recent hunger (aOR 1.99; 95% CI 1.37-2.88) and recent violence from non-intimate partners (2.23; 95% CI 1.55-3.19). Recent suicidal behaviour prevalence was similar across survey rounds (baseline: 10.2%; midline: 10.2%; endline: 10.4%), and was associated with recent violence from non-intimate partners (aOR 1.96; 95% CI 1.31-2.95), recent hunger (aOR 1.69; 95% CI 1.15-2.47) and having an additional employment to sex work (aOR 1.50; 95% CI 1.00-2.23).Conclusions
Our study found a decline in mental health problems but high levels of persistent suicidal behaviours among FSWs. Syndemic risk factors including food insecurity and violence were longitudinally associated with mental health problems and recent suicidal behaviours. There is a need for accessible mental health services for FSWs, alongside structural interventions addressing poverty and violence.Source: Europe PubMed Central