The Hidden Impact: Sex Workers and Condom Use During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things, including how people protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. Sex workers in Dakar, Senegal, faced a tough situation. Their work involves close contact, so their income took a big hit during the pandemic. This made them vulnerable to risky behaviors, like having sex without a condom, which can lead to higher HIV and STI rates. To understand this better, a study looked at condom use among female sex workers in Dakar. The study used data from before the pandemic (2015 and 2017) and during the pandemic (June-July 2020). The results showed a drop in condom use. In 2017, about 78. 2 percent of sex workers used condoms. By 2020, this number had fallen to 65. 1 percent. This is a big drop, showing that about 16. 8 percent fewer sex workers were using condoms. The decline in condom use was more noticeable among those who had fewer assets. This suggests that economic struggles might have pushed them to take risks. When money is tight, people might choose to earn more, even if it means having sex without a condom. This is a known pattern in times of economic stress. However, there is a bit of good news. Even though condom use dropped, the number of clients also decreased. This means that the overall risk of HIV/STI transmission might not have increased as much as feared. But, it is important to note that the study did not compare these two factors directly, so the results should be taken with caution. The study also points out that more research is needed. Future studies should look at the broader population and track condom use over a longer period. This will help understand the full impact of the pandemic on HIV/STI transmission. It is crucial to see if condom use returns to normal once the pandemic is over and clients come back. The pandemic has shown how economic shocks can affect health behaviors. For sex workers, the choice between earning money and staying safe is a tough one. Understanding these challenges can help create better support systems. This way, sex workers can protect themselves and their clients without sacrificing their livelihoods.