Mujeres Unidas: Addressing Substance Use, Violence, and HIV Risk through Asset-Based Community Development for Women in the Sex Trade

Lianne A. Urada, Andrés Gaeta-Rivera, Jessica Kim, Patricia E. Gonzalez-Zuniga and Kimberly C. Brouwer
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Lianne A. Urada: College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University School of Social Work, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
Andrés Gaeta-Rivera: Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua 31125, Mexico
Jessica Kim: Center for Justice and Reconciliation, Point Loma Nazarene d, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
Patricia E. Gonzalez-Zuniga: Casa del Centro and the Wound Clinic, Tijuana 22000, Mexico
Kimberly C. Brouwer: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: This paper examines the prevalence of and potential for community mobilization (CM) and its association with HIV/STI risk, substance use, and violence victimization among women, particularly those using substances, in the sex trade in Tijuana, Mexico. Methods: 195 women participated in Mujeres Unidas (K01DA036439 Urada) under a longitudinal survey study, “Proyecto Mapa de Salud” (R01DA028692, PI: Brouwer). Local health/social service providers (N = 16) were also interviewed. Results: 39% of women who participated in community mobilization activities used substances. In adjusted analyses ( n = 135), participation in CM activities ( n = 26) was more likely among women who did not report substance use (AOR: 4.36, CI: 1.11–17.16), perceived a right to a life free from violence (AOR: 9.28, CI: 2.03–59.26), talked/worked with peers in the sex trade to change a situation (AOR: 7.87, CI: 2.03–30.57), witnessed violence where they worked (AOR: 4.45, CI: 1.24–15.96), and accessed free condoms (AOR: 1.54, CI: 1.01–2.35). Forty-five of the women using substances demonstrated their potential for engaging in asset-based community development (ABCD) with service providers in Mujeres Unidas meetings. Conclusion: Women using substances, vs. those who did not, demonstrated their potential to engage in ABCD strategies. Women’s empowerment, safety, and health could be enhanced by communities engaging in ABCD strategies that build and bridge social capital for marginalized women who otherwise have few exit and recovery options.

Keywords: women; sex trade; substance use; HIV; violence; community mobilization; asset-based community development; empowerment; human trafficking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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