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Child prostitution: magnitude and related problems
1Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Medical Journal
|January 2, 2001
Summary
Child prostitution in Ethiopia is prevalent, with 41.2% of individuals entering prostitution under 18. Child prostitutes face higher risks of violence and desire family reunification more than adults.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Child prostitution in Ethiopia is under-researched, necessitating an understanding of its scope and associated challenges.
- Limited data exists on the specific issues faced by child prostitutes in the Ethiopian context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of child prostitution in Ethiopia.
- To identify the key problems and risk factors associated with child prostitution.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Data were collected from 650 commercial sex workers using structured questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis included calculating odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (C.I.).
Main Results:
- 13.5% of interviewed commercial sex workers were under 18 at data collection; 41.2% entered prostitution before age 18.
- Poverty, family disputes, and peer influence were primary drivers into prostitution.
- Child prostitutes experienced significantly higher rates of physical violence (OR=1.93) and sexual violence (OR=2.20) compared to adult prostitutes.
- Child prostitutes were five times more likely to desire leaving prostitution and rejoining their families (OR=5.47).
Conclusions:
- Child prostitution is a significant issue in Ethiopia, linked to socioeconomic factors and resulting in heightened vulnerability to violence.
- Interventions should focus on preventing entry into prostitution, protecting child prostitutes from violence, and establishing rehabilitation programs for those seeking to exit the sex trade.