Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2023
Publisher
MDPI
Source Publication
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Source ISSN
1661-7827
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20115948
Abstract
COVID-19 exacerbated health disparities, financial insecurity, and occupational safety for many within marginalized populations. This study, which took place between 2019 and 2022, aimed to explore the way in which sex workers (n = 36) in Chicago were impacted by COVID-19. We analyzed the transcripts of 36 individual interviews with a diverse group of sex workers using thematic analysis. Five general themes emerged regarding the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on sex workers: (1) the impact of COVID-19 on physical health; (2) the economic impact of COVID-19; (3) the impact of COVID-19 on safety; (4) the impact of COVID-19 on mental health; and (5) adaptive strategies for working during COVID-19. Participants reported that their physical and mental health, economic stability, and safety worsened due to COVID-19 and that adaptive strategies did not serve to improve working conditions. Findings highlight the ways in which sex workers are particularly vulnerable during a public health crisis, such as COVID-19. In response to these findings, targeted resources, an increased access to funding, community-empowered interventions and policy changes are needed to protect the health and safety of sex workers in Chicago.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Singer, Randi Beth; Abboud, Sarah; Johnson, Amy K.; Zemlak, Jessica L.; Crooks, Natasha; Lee, Sangeun; Wilson, Johannes; Gorvine, Della; Stamps, Jahari; Bruce, Douglas; Sherman, Susan G.; Matthews, Alicia K.; and Patil, Crystal L., "Experiences of Sex Workers in Chicago during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study" (2023). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 969.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/969
Comments
Published version. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 20, No. 11 (2023). DOI. © MDPI. Used with permission.
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).