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. 2022 Mar 7:56:3.
doi: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056004229. eCollection 2022.

Women engaged in prostitution and COVID-19: why are they excluded from socially vulnerable groups?

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Michelle Ishida Chiang  1 , Maitê Leite Basile  1 , Ana Beatriz Pereira de Souza  1 , Isabella Dastler Moccagatta  1 , Julia Rabello Guerra Vieira  1 , Thaís Rocha Lourenço  1 , Mariana Langanke Gonçalves  1 , Helena Afférri Fernandes Pinto  1 , Rosane Lowenthal  2 , Michele Lacerda Pereira Ferrer  3 , Giselle Burlamaqui Klautau  4
Affiliations

Women engaged in prostitution and COVID-19: why are they excluded from socially vulnerable groups?

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Michelle Ishida Chiang et al. Rev Saude Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

This study analyzed the exposure of women engaged in prostitution in downtown São Paulo to COVID-19. This cross-sectional study had a convenience sample selected in May 2021. We interviewed 219, mostly black, middle-aged, poor women with comorbidities. Among them, 61 had shown COVID-19 symptoms, 23, tested positive for the disease, seven underwent hospitalization, and four reported post-COVID-19 complications. Only 26 (30.2%) had been vaccinated. In addition to gender, race, and class inequalities, these women suffer both from a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their working conditions and from the subsequent worsening of that disease due to age and lack of vaccination.

RESUMO: Esta pesquisa analisou a exposição de mulheres em situação de prostituição no centro de São Paulo à covid-19. Este estudo transversal contou com amostra de conveniência selecionada em maio de 2021. Entrevistou-se 219 mulheres majoritariamente negras, de meia idade, pobres e com comorbidades. Dentre essas mulheres, 61 tiveram sintomas de covid-19, 23 com teste positivo,7 foram internadas e 4 relataram complicações pós-covid-19. Somente 26 (30,2%) haviam sido vacinadas. Além das desigualdades de gênero, raça e classe, essas mulheres são expostas a um maior risco de contraírem covid-19, devido às condições de trabalho e por apresentarem doença grave relacionada à idade e falta de vacinação.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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