An Assessment of the Major Psychological and Social Problems of Female Child Commercial Sex Workers in Some Selected Tourist Sites: the Case of Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar and Gondar
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2010-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study focused on the assessment of the major psychological and social problems oj
child commercial sex workers in some selected tourist sites in Ethiopia. It was conducted
on 103 purposively selected child commercial sex workers and 1 broker in Addis Ababa,
Bahir Dar and Gondar. InJormation was gathered through questionnaire, the Center Jor
Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Jor Children (CES-DC), the Children Hope
Scale (CHC), and interview. The collected data were analyzed through percentage, t-test
and one way ANOVA.
A lthough the clients oj the majority oj the participants were predominantly the local
people (69%), 31% oj the respondents reported that they had contact with Joreigner
clients. In the interview, in addition to public places, it was explored that there were
hidden places organized to connect foreigners with children for commercial sexual
exploitation. On the Center Jor Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Jor Children
(CES-DC), most oj the participants 63% of them reported total scores above the cut off
point 15, which is suggestive oj existence oj significant depression symptom. On the
children hope scale, the majority (61%) scored below the cut point 21 which is an
indication of low level oj hope. The participants score on CES-DC and CHS were
compared across different background variables and significant differences were
observed. In addition to these psychological variables, the social problems oj the child
commercial sex workers were explored. Most oj the participants reported that they spent
the day time by chewing chat (62.9%) and sleeping (47.1%). One oJthejustificationsJor
spending their time these ways was a feeling oj a sense oj embarrassment to go out side
in the day time and these helped them to hide themselves Fom the society. Frequent
quarrel (51%) with other persons was the other major inter personal problem
investigated in this study. Finally, all stake holders are recommended to organize
activities that help child commercial sex workers to cope with the psychological and
social problems identified in one way or another
Description
Keywords
Education