Stigma Among Sex Workers in Dakar, Senegal

Abstract

In Dakar, Senegal, the approach to sex work supervision is legalization and regulation. Sex workers can register in Senegal and can participate in sex work legally while in accordance with government policies which include regular testing and health screenings. In a study conducted in Dakar by Dr. Shanthi Manian, certification rates remained low among sex workers despite an intervention to incentivize registration. As stigma seemed to have influence in women’s decisions to register, I analyzed factors which may lead to experiences with (1) community stigma and (2) internalized stigma. I looked at exposure factors such as age, educational attainment levels and parental status (number of children) and their potential associations with community and internalized stigma. I conducted analysis on the univariate and multivariate relationships between these exposures and outcomes to varying risks for experiencing community or internalized stigma. I found that increased educational attainment levels were associated with increased internalized stigma among sex workers in Dakar, Senegal.