The impact of a microsavings intervention on reducing violence against women engaged in sex work: a randomized controlled study

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Research Article

Susan S. Witte¹  Marion Riedel¹  Andrea Norcini Pala²  Laura Cordisco Tsai³  Catherine E. Carlson⁴  Toivgoo Aira⁵ 

[1] Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, 10027, New York, NY, USA;Columbia University, HIV Center for Clinical Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 10032, New York, NY, USA;George Mason University College of Health and Human Services, MSN 1F8, 22030, Fairfax, VA, USA;Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, 10027, New York, NY, USA;New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, 10032, New York, NY, USA;Wellspring NGO, Zorig Foundation Building, Peace Avenue 9A, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia;

关键词: Gender-based violence;    Microfinance;    Economic empowerment;    Randomized controlled trial;    Central Asia;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12914-016-0101-3

 received in 2016-05-20, accepted in 2016-10-15,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundWomen who engage in sex work are at risk for experiencing violence from numerous perpetrators, including paying partners. Empirical evidence has shown mixed results regarding the impact of participation in microfinance interventions on women’s experiences of violence, with some studies demonstrating reductions in intimate partner violence (IPV) and others showing heightened risk for IPV. The current study reports on the impact of participation in a microsavings intervention on experiences of paying partner violence among women engaged in sex work in Mongolia.MethodsBetween 2011 and 2013, we conducted a two-arm, non-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing an HIV/STI risk reduction intervention (HIVSRR) (control condition) to a combined microsavings and HIVSRR intervention (treatment condition). Eligible women (aged 18 or older, reported having engaged in unprotected sex with paying partner in past 90 days, expressed interest in microsavings intervention) were invited to participate. One hundred seven were randomized, including 50 in the control and 57 in the treatment condition. Participants completed assessments at baseline, immediate post-test following HIVSRR, and at 3-months and 6-months after completion of the treatment group intervention. Outcomes for the current study include any violence (physical and/or sexual), sexual violence, and physical violence from paying partners in the past 90 days.ResultsAn intention-to-treat approach was utilized. Linear growth models revealed significant reductions over time in both conditions for any violence (β = −0.867, p < 0.001), physical violence (β = −0.0923, p < 0.001), and sexual violence (β = −1.639, p = 0.001) from paying partners. No significant differences between groups were found for any violence (β = 0.118, p = 0.389), physical violence (β = 0.091, p = 0.792), or sexual violence (β = 0.379, p = 0.114) from paying partners.ConclusionsMicrosavings participation did not significantly impact women’s risk for paying partner violence. Qualitative research is recommended to understand the cause for reductions in paying partner violence in both study conditions.Trial registrationEvaluating a Microfinance Intervention for High Risk Women in Mongolia; NCT01861431; May 20, 2013.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016