Using Peer Education to Promote Psychosocial and Occupational Health and Empowerment Among Female Sex Workers in Nepal

Violence Against Women. 2020 Sep;26(11):1445-1466. doi: 10.1177/1077801219861155. Epub 2019 Aug 9.

Abstract

Female sex workers (FSWs) in Nepal are vulnerable to an array of occupational risks, which may compromise their psychosocial health and ability to engage in protective behaviors. A peer education (PE) intervention designed to empower and promote the psychosocial health of FSWs was pilot tested in Kathmandu, Nepal. FSWs who were exposed to the PE intervention (n = 96) had significantly higher scores on psychosocial health knowledge, perceived self-efficacy and ability to access resources, happiness, and job control compared with those who were not (n = 64). PE may be a promising way to promote psychosocial health and empowerment among FSWs.

Keywords: female sex workers; peer education; psychosocial health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bullying / psychology
  • Burnout, Professional / psychology
  • Empowerment
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Happiness
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nepal
  • Occupational Health*
  • Peer Group*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Self Efficacy
  • Sex Work / psychology
  • Sex Workers / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult