Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, RSA.
HIV Services. Population Services International Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. Research Fellow for the Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, RSA.
Afr J Reprod Health. 2022 Mar;26(3):104-113. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2022/v26i3.12.
The restrictive measures taken to curb and mitigate the spread of the corona virus (COVID-19) had negative implications on the vulnerable populations. Of the latter, the most severely affected were sex workers, whose work venues and customers were locked down. This descriptive phenomenological study explored effects of COVID-19 on female sex workers in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Snowballing sampling was used to recruit participants. Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face individual interviews with ten female sex workers. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Colaizzi's seven-step content analysis approach was followed to guide data analysis. Rigour was ensured by adhering to Guba and Lincoln's trustworthiness criteria. The study found that the measures impacted negatively on sex workers' income, making it difficult for them to get money for food and rentals. In response, some sex workers adopted innovative entrepreneurship. Others engaged in risky sexual behaviours, further aggravating their situation emotionally and psychologically. It is recommended that the government and policy makers provide psychosocial and economic support to protect the rights of female sex workers in order to maintain the gains made in HIV response.
为遏制和减轻新冠病毒（COVID-19）的传播而采取的限制措施对弱势群体产生了负面影响。在这些弱势群体中，受影响最严重的是性工作者，他们的工作场所和客户都被封锁了。本描述性现象学研究探讨了 COVID-19 对津巴布韦布拉瓦约的女性性工作者的影响。采用滚雪球抽样招募参与者。通过与十名女性性工作者进行深入的面对面个人访谈收集数据。根据数据饱和确定样本量。遵循科莱兹的七步内容分析方法指导数据分析。通过遵守古巴和林肯的可信度标准来确保严谨性。研究发现，这些措施对性工作者的收入产生了负面影响，使她们难以获得食物和租金的资金。作为回应，一些性工作者采用了创新的创业方式。其他人则从事高风险的性行为，这进一步加剧了她们在情感和心理上的困境。建议政府和政策制定者为保护女性性工作者的权利提供社会心理和经济支持，以维护在艾滋病毒应对方面取得的成果。
