Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39146371›Full record

ArticlePloS one2024

Optimising the public health benefits of sex work regulation in Senegal: Results from qualitative interviews with policy stakeholders.

Aurélia Lépine, Fanny Procureur, Sandie Szawlowski, Carole Treibich, El Hadj Mbaye, Khady Gueye, Cheikh Tidiane Ndour

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Aurélia LépineInstitute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-9237-2914
Fanny ProcureurInstitute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-5399-3091
Sandie SzawlowskiInstitute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Carole TreibichCNRS, INRAE, Grenoble INP, GAEL, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
El Hadj MbayeAIDS Division, Ministry of Health and Social Action, Dakar, Senegal.
Khady GueyeAIDS Division, Ministry of Health and Social Action, Dakar, Senegal.
Cheikh Tidiane NdourAIDS Division, Ministry of Health and Social Action, Dakar, Senegal.

Funding

Medical Research Council MR/T00262X/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

contextThere is compelling evidence that eliminating sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) is a cost-effective approach to reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Although many countries recognise sex work as a public health issue, few have implemented public health policies specifically aimed at controlling the transmission of HIV/AIDS among FSWs. In particular, Senegal stands out as the only African country to regulate sex work through a specific public health policy that requires FSWs to register with a health centre. Despite the potential health and legal benefits associated with registration, a staggering 80% of FSWs in Senegal remain unregistered. This low registration rate hinders the realisation of the policy's full potential for public health benefits. The reluctance of FSWs to register is due to inherent flaws in the policy design, where the disadvantages of registration outweigh the benefits for FSWs.

objectiveTo identify which modifications to the current registration policy have the potential to increase uptake of registration by FSWs and to assess their feasibility in the context of Senegal.

methodWe conducted a qualitative policy research study using semi-structured in-depth interviews with 22 national stakeholders in this policy, including representatives from the police, government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Dakar, Senegal, as well as FSWs' leaders. The interview data were thematically coded using the interview topic guide and other recurring themes and analysed using thematic analysis on Nvivo 12.

resultsA total of 20 relevant themes were selected, focusing primarily on assessing the feasibility of potential interventions and identifying potential barriers and associated risks. We found that, without changing current legislation, improving relationships between FSWs and police officers, providing accurate and accessible information about the rules and benefits of the policy, and offering psychosocial support have the potential to improve both the registration rate of FSWs and their wellbeing. Policy features designed to increase registration by improving FSWs' confidentiality, and thus their confidence in the services offered, were also discussed.

conclusionsThe study highlighted that several national public health policies could be changed to increase the registration rate of FSWs and improve their wellbeing without overturning constitutional law.

Indexed as

Health PolicyPublic HealthSex WorkSex WorkersFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansQualitative ResearchSenegalSexually Transmitted Diseases

Identifiers

PMID39146371
PMCPMC11326597

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.