"We Might Get Some Free Beers": Experience and Motivation for Transactional Sex among Behaviorally Bisexual Men in Vientiane, Laos

People engaging in transactional sex are considered a key population for HIV prevention. Prior quantitative surveys demonstrated that behaviorally bisexual men in Vientiane, Laos commonly transact sex. 

In 2013, we conducted a qualitative study to explore behaviorally bisexual men's experience, motivations, and perceptions related to transactional sex in Vientiane. Behaviorally bisexual men were recruited from bars, nightclubs, and dormitories for five focus group discussions (FGDs) and 11 in-depth interviews (n = 31). Additionally, young women were recruited from a university, garment factory, and nightclub for four FGDs (n = 22). Transcripts were translated and thematically coded. 

Bisexual male participants most commonly described being paid for sex by male-to-female transgender people and buying sex from women. Both male and female participants reported that older, single women pay younger men for sex. Negotiation and direction of sexual transactions are influenced by age, attraction, and wealth. Common motivations for selling sex included the need for money to support family or fund school fees, material gain, or physical pleasure. Transactional sex was often opportunistic. Some behaviorally bisexual men reported selling sex in order to pay another more desirable sex partner or to buy gifts for their regular sex partner. Participants perceived high risk associated with intercourse with female sex workers but not with other transactional sex partners. 

Health interventions are needed to improve knowledge, risk perception, and health behaviors, but must recognize the diversity of transactional sex in Vientiane. Both physical and virtual settings may be appropriate for reaching behaviorally bisexual men and their partners.

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By:  Bowring AL1,2, Pasomsouk N3, Hughes C4, van Gemert C5,6, Higgs P5,7, Sychareun V8, Hellard M5,6, Power R6,4,9.

• 1Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd., Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. annab@burnet.edu.au.
• 2Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. annab@burnet.edu.au.
• 3Burnet Institute, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
• 4Centre for International Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
• 5Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd., Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
• 6Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
• 7Faculty of Health Sciences, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia.
• 8Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
• 9Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
• Arch Sex Behav. 2016 Mar 23.  

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Exploitation, Violence, and Suicide Risk Among Child and Adolescent Survivors of Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Human trafficking and exploitation of children have profound health consequences. To our knowledge, this study represents the largest survey on the health of child and adolescent survivors of human trafficking.

To describe experiences of abuse and exploitation, mental health outcomes, and suicidal behavior among children and adolescents in posttrafficking services. We also examine how exposures to violence, exploitation, and abuse affect the mental health and suicidal behavior of trafficked children.

A survey was conducted with 387 children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years in posttrafficking services in Cambodia, Thailand, or Vietnam, which along with Laos, Myanmar, and Yunnan Province, China, compose the Greater Mekong Subregion. Participants were interviewed within 2 weeks of entering services from October 2011 through May 2013.

Depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-injury, and suicide attempts.

Among the 387 children and adolescent study participants, most (82%) were female. 

• 12% had tried to harm or kill themselves in the month before the interview. 
• 56% screened positive for depression, 33% for an anxiety disorder, and 26% for posttraumatic stress disorder. 
• Abuse at home was reported by 20%. 
• Physical violence while trafficked was reported by 41% of boys and 19% of girls. 
• 23% of girls and 1 boy reported sexual violence. 
• Mental health symptoms were strongly associated with recent self-harm and suicide attempts. 
• Severe physical violence was associated with depression, and suicidal ideation. 
• Sexual violence while trafficked was associated with depression and suicidal ideation.

Children and adolescents in posttrafficking care showed high symptom levels of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, which are strongly associated with self-harm or suicidal behaviors. Mental health screening and reintegration risk assessments are critical components of posttrafficking services, especially in planning for family reunification and other social integration options.

Via:  http://ht.ly/SxM77 Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/420OmW

By: Kiss L1, Yun K2, Pocock N1, Zimmerman C3.

• 1Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England.
• 2PolicyLab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 3Reader in Gender Violence and Health, Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England.