Citation

Ayalew T, Berhane Y. Ethiop. Med. J. 2000; 38(3): 153-163.

Affiliation

Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Ethiopian Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11132353

Abstract

In Ethiopia, very little is known about prostitution in general and about child prostitution in particular. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of child prostitution and to identify problems associated with it. A cross-sectional study design was utilized. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. A total of 650 commercial sex workers were interviewed. Eighty eight (13.5%) were below the age of 18 years at the time of data collection. At the time of joining prostitution 268 (41.2%) were under 18 years of age. Poverty, disagreement with family, and peer influence were the major reasons leading to prostitution. Child prostitutes were likely to be victim of physical violence OR = (95% C.I.) = 1.93(1.18,3.15). and sexual violence OR = (95% C.I.) = 2.20(1.36,3.35). compared to adult prostitutes. Child prostitutes were about five times more likely to desire rejoining their family than the adult prostitutes OR = (95% C.I) = 5.47(3.01;9.93). Strategies need to be developed to rescue child prostitutes from on-job violence, and to establish a rehabilitation program for those interested to discontinue prostitution along with efforts to minimize entry into prostitution.

Language: en