Exiting behavior of prostitute EXITING BEHAVIOR OF PROSTITUTE Addis Ababa University

132 Pages·2016·0.95 MB·English

Exiting behavior of prostitute
EXITING BEHAVIOR OF PROSTITUTE

Addis Ababa University
College of Education and Behavioral Studies
School of Psychology

Factors Affecting Exiting Behavior of Prostitute Life Style
In the case of Gerji area, Addis Ababa

By: Mulatu Abebe

MAY 2016
Exiting behavior of prostitute

Factors Affecting Exiting Behavior of Prostitute Life Style
In the case of Gerji area, Addis Ababa

A Thesis Submitted to the School of Psychology, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
the Degree of Master of Arts in Social Psychology

By; Mulatu Abebe

May, 2016
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Exiting behavior of prostitute

Addis Ababa University
College of Education and Behavioral Studies
School of Psychology

Factors Affecting Exiting Behavior of Prostitute Life Style
In the case of Gerji area, Addis Ababa

By Mulatu Abebe

Approval of the board of examiners

Advisor Signature Date

Internal Examiner Signature Date

External Examiner Signature Date

MAY, 2016
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Exiting behavior of prostitute i

Abstract
Exiting prostitution is not simple as the entry. There are a number of factors that
influence sex workers when they try to exit the sex work that is environmental and personal
barriers. Repeatedly, these obstacles lead them to stay in sex work and reenter after they attempt
to leave permanently.
This thesis explores whether there is the intention of exiting prostitution among female
sex workers and examining factors affecting the exiting behavior of prostitutes. To realize these
using mixed methods were a main action taken with in-depth interview of 14 sex work actively
involved in sex work and two groups (18 sex workers) of group discussion were held to better
capture the elements that hinder sex worker from leaving, in qualitative data three themes and 18
sub themes were identified in order to discuss the finding. In addition, 120 sex workers also
participated in the measurement of the motivation scale, including the interviewee and focus
group participants. So in quantitative data this study organizes the level of motivation of female
sex worker to exit sex work, in addition both (qualitative and quantitative) data were presented in
combined and integrated way in finding and discussion section. Therefore, the findings were
largely reflective of the barriers indicated in the previous research with relatively some unique
contradiction with previous determinations. In addition, the finding concluded as most sex
workers are highly motivated to exit sex work beside the barriers that pulled back to sex work.
The results contribute to our apprehension of sex workers life, insight for intervener organization
and further researcher. As a final point recommendation for research and practice are discussed.

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Exiting behavior of prostitute ii

Acknowledgements

I am forever grateful to almighty God to bring me at the end all the time.
I am indebted to several individuals for their encouragement and support during this
study. First and foremost I need to thank my advisor Ato Daniel Tefera, I have learned a lot from
his constructive comments.
My special thanks go to my colleagues and peer educators at Bole Pro Pride, Intervener
Organizations on Sex Worker Support Service, friends who patiently support and have the sense
of hearing me and all participants for sharing their experiences, idea and for giving their time.
Mom may you rest in peace. This is by you & for you.

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Exiting behavior of prostitute iii

Table of contents

Pages
Table of contents................................................................................................................... III
List of figures …………………………………………………………………………….. V
Acronyms............................................................................................................................. VI
Chapters
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Background of the study......................................................................................... 1
1.2. Statement of the Problem......................................................................................... 3
1.3. Objective of the study..........................................................................................… 4
1.4. Significance of the study......................................................................................... 5
1.5. Delimitation of the study………………………….……………………………… 5
1.6. Conceptual framework .............................................................................................. 6
2. Review of Related Literature ............................................................................................10
2.1. Prostitution: history and definition….…................................................................... 8
2.2. Categories of sex work ……………........................................................................ 12
2.3. Exiting prostitution ……………….......................................................................... 13
2.3.1. Concept of sex worker exiting ……………………………………………..13
2.4. Motivation to exit Prostitution…...............................................................................15
2.5. Hindering and helping factors of exiting. ................................................................. 17
2.5.1. Hindering factors …………………………………………………………...17
2.5.2. Helping factors ……………………………………………………………...24
2.6. Theories about exiting sex work................................................................................ 26
3. Research Methods.............................................................................................................. 30
3.1. Study Design............................................................................................................ 30
3.2. Area of the study …………………………………….……………………..……... 31
3.3. Study participants..................................................................................................... 32
3.4. Inclusion and exclusion criteria................................................................................ 33
3.5. Sampling technique................................................................................................... 34
3.6. Data Collection instrument.........................................................................................35
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3.7. Data Collection Procedure......................................................................................... 40
3.8. Method of analysis.................................................................................................... 41
3.9. Ethical considerations............................................................................................... 43
4. Findings.......................................................................................................................... 45
4.1.Demographic Characteristics of Respondents........................................................... 45
4.2. Thematic analysis……………………………………………………………………48
4.3. 1. Theme one: The costs of sex work on individuals............................................... 48
4.1.2. Theme two: The process of exiting (helping factors and reentry )………..…….. 55
4.1.3. Theme three: Exiting barriers (hindering factors)................................................... 62
5. Discussion, Summary, Conclusion and recommendation……………..............................77
5.1. Discussion ………………………………...………………………………………. 77
5.2. Summary and Conclusion........................................................................................... 92
5.3. Recommendations....................................................................................................... .95
5.3.1. Implication for intervener organization………………………………………..95
5.3.2. Implication for policy …………………………………………………………96
5.3.3. Implication for research………………………………………………………..98
5.3.4. Implication for religious institution……………………………………………99
5.4. Limitation of the study .............................................................................................. 100
Reference............................................................................................................................... 101
Appendices
Appendix A: Interview Question to sex worker
Appendix B: Amharic Version of interview question
Appendix C: Interview question to key informants
Appendix D: Amharic Version of interview to key informants
Appendix E: Focus group guiding question
Appendix F: Amharic Version of the guiding Question
Appendix G: Rating scale item on motivation
Appendix H: Amharic version of the scale item

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Exiting behavior of prostitute v

List of figures

Figure 1: A diagram about IMBP on Cimino‘s (2013) study…………………………….8
Figure 2: A diagram on exiting process …………………………………………………..9

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Exiting behavior of prostitute vi

Acronyms
AAHAPCO Addis Ababa HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
CSW Commercial Sex Worker
FHAPCO Federal HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office
FHI Family Health International
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
MARP Most At Risk Population
MOLSA Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
MOH Ministry of Health
NGO Non-governmental Organization
SPSS Statistical Package for Social Science
STI Sexually Transmitted Infection

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Exiting behavior of prostitute 1

Chapter one
1. Introduction
1.1. Background of the study
Origins of prostitution date back to the origin of humankind as an existing fact in biblical
history. Accordingly, prostitution exists in every society. Prostitution has been regarded as the
oldest profession, as it meets the natural urges of humans in return for money and it is claimed to
be as old as civilization itself (Bindel, 2006; Day, 2007; Gangoli & Westmarland, 2006).
Prostitution is one of the phenomena of different parts of the world for a long period.
Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in sexual relations in exchange for payment or
some other benefit (Bindel, 2006).
As the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MOH) intervention guide confirms sex workers are
broadly considered as ―female, male and transgender individuals who receive money or goods in
exchange for sexual services, either regularly or occasionally‖. Sex workers in the Ethiopian
context, are females who regularly or occasionally trade sex for money in drinking
establishments, night clubs, local drink houses, chat and ―shisha‘‘ houses, ―on the street‖, around
military and refugee camps, construction sites, trade routes, red light districts, and at their homes
( MOH, 2011).
An estimated number of commercial sex workers (CSW) in Addis Ababa are 30,000 and
from this 30% of commercial sex workers are young girls ranging from 12-16 years of age; many
of them are forced into exchanging sex for food or place to sleep. And some are victimized and
intimated into selling their sexual favors in returns for economic gains (Ethiopian Herald, April
20, 2004). Studies suggest that in Addis Ababa only, of those sexually active female 7.1% are
engaged in commercial sex work.