The lived experience of violence and health-related risks among street sex workers in Uyo, Nigeria.

This study examined the lived experience of violence and health-related risks among street sex workers in Uyo, Nigeria. Data were collected through in-depth, individual interviews with 27 female sex workers recruited through venue-based snowball sampling. Thematic coding and analysis were undertaken on interview transcripts. Findings show that sex workers experienced physical, emotional, sexual and economic violence linked to the criminalisation and stigmatisation of sex work. Violence, perpetrated by clients, police, sexual partners and co-sex workers, was used to coerce unprotected sex and free and unacceptable sexual services; to extort money; to prevent client-snatching; and as moral punishment. Violence harms sex workers' health, undermines condom negotiation and increases STI/HIV risk. Sex workers displayed agency by adopting safety strategies, including screening clients, collaboration, bribing the police for protection and self-defence. Agency was constrained by criminalisation and lack of legal protection. Within this context, the decriminalisation of sex work, the regulation of sex work premises, community mobilisation, economic empowerment and health services are relevant measures for addressing violence and improving sex workers' health.