Sexual health beliefs and prevention of sexually transmitted infections among cisgender women sex workers in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The stigma and social discrimination against cisgender women sex workers lead many of them to live in conditions characterized by social inequality, marginalization, persecution, and limited opportunities for sexual health literacy. Consequently, they are often compelled to establish a framework of preventive beliefs with little scientific validity, which they use to identify, mitigate, or avoid sexual health risks arising from their interactions with clients. This study investigates the sexual health beliefs that influence self-care practices aimed at preventing sexually transmitted infections among cisgender women sex workers in Colombia. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study framed in Hermeneutic Phenomenology. In-depth interviews and discussion groups were conducted with 34 cisgender women sex workers over 18 years of age in the center of the cities of Bogotá and Barranquilla in Colombia. RESULTS: Seven themes emerged from the reflective and inductive thematic analysis of the narratives: (1) popular habits for the prevention of contagion, (2) ocular assessment of genitals, (3) condom lubrication, (4) suspicion of a hidden infection in the client, (5) saliva and oral contact as a source of contagion, (6) avoidance of semen contact, (7) and trust in God as protection. CONCLUSIONS: The findings reflect the need for health and social professionals to promote participatory and inclusive cooperation with sex workers to update the framework of preventive beliefs that help them guide sexual health self-care with autonomy and self-efficacy, strengthening favorable beliefs and negotiating unfavorable ones. It is also essential to have a sex worker-informed sexual health policy that guides the promotion of sexual health that is sensitive to the needs and consistent with the risks of sex work and ensures friendly and non-oppressive preventive care environments for sex workers.

Situación de la violencia sexual en Colombia, 2012-2016 / Situation of sexual violence in Colombia, 2012-2016 / Situação da violência sexual na Colômbia, 2012-2016

Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia y las características de la violencia sexual en Colombia durante el periodo 2012-2016. Método: se realizó un estudio cuantitativo y descriptivo de todos los casos de violencia sexual reportados al Sistema de Vigilancia en Salud Pública (Sivigila) del 2012 al 2016. Resultados: en el periodo 2012-2016, se reportaron al Sivigila 73.986 casos de violencia sexual, de los cuales el 74,78% ocurrió en las cabeceras municipales; el 65,91% en las viviendas; el 88% de las víctimas eran mujeres y el 49,92% adolescentes. De los agresores, el 91,90% eran hombres con edad promedio de 30 años y el 50,65% no convivía con la víctima. De las víctimas, el 26,1% recibió profilaxis para el vih/sida y el 17,0% para el virus de la hepatitis b; al 45,42% se le proporcionó atención en salud mental, el 31,84% fue remitido a protección y el 56,99% fue reportado a las autoridades competentes. Conclusión: en los 73.986 casos de violencia sexual se encontró un ascenso de la prevalencia que va del 13,45% en el 2012 al 27,96% en el 2016, siendo las mujeres en los ciclos vitales de adolescencia, infancia y la primera infancia las principales víctimas de violencia sexual de agresores hombres con edad promedio de 30 años

Objective: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of sexual violence in Colombia during the period between 2012- 2016. Materials and methods: A quantitative and descriptive study of all cases of sexual violence reported to SIVIGILA from 2012 to 2016 was conducted. Results: 73,986 cases of sexual violence were reported to SIVIGILA, 74.78% of which occurred in the municipal capitals with 65.91% of the cases occurring in the homes of the victims. 88% of the victims were women and 49.92% of the total number of victims were teenagers. 91.90% of the aggressors were men, who on average were 30 years old. 50.65% of the aggressors did not live with the victim. 26.1% of the victims received prophylaxis for HIV / AIDS, 17.0% received prophylaxis for the hepatitis B virus, 45.42% received mental health care, 31.84% of the victims were referred to protection, and 56.99% were reported to the competent authorities. Conclusion: Of the 73,986 cases of sexual violence, a rise in prevalence was found, starting with 13.45% of the cases occurring in 2012 and rising to 27.96% of the cases occurring in 2016. The principle victims were women in the vital life cycles, adolescence, infancy and early infancy, and the primary aggressors were males of an average 30 years of age.

Objetivo: determinar a prevalência e as características da violência sexual na Colômbia no período de 2012 a 2016. Materiais e métodos : foi realizado um estudo quantitativo e descritivo de todos os casos de violência sexual reportados ao SIVIGILA durante o período de 2012 a 2016. Resultados: 73.986 casos de violência sexual foram notificados ao SIVIGILA, dos quais 74,78% ocorreram nas capitais municipais; 65,91% dos casos ocorreram nas residências; 88% das vítimas eram mulheres; do total de vítimas, 49,92% eram adolescentes. 91,90% dos agressores eram homens com idade média de 30 anos e 50,65% dos agressores não moravam com a vítima. 26,1% das vítimas receberam profilaxia para HIV/AIDS, 17,0% receberam profilaxia para o vírus da hepatite B, 45,42% receberam cuidados de saúde mental, 31,84% foram encamin - hadas para proteção e 56,99% dos casos foram comunicados às autoridades competentes. Conclusão: dos 73.986 casos de violência sexual, foi encontrado um aumento na prevalência, variando de 13,45% para 2012 a 27,96% para 2016; sendo mulheres nos ciclos de vida, adolescência, infância e primeira infância as principais vítimas de violência sexual de agressores do sexo masculino com idade média de 30 anos.