Female street sex work in Belgrade as a risk environment for a syndemic production - A qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Although female street sex workers are contextually vulnerable to numerous health-endangering factors, they also contribute in re-producing them. This synergetic production is approached by syndemic theory developed within medical anthropology. The objective of the study is to present an analysis of the results of a qualitative ethnographic study conducted in Belgrade, Serbia in 2015, and reflect upon social environment factors influencing syndemic development of medical conditions.

Methods The risk environment factors enhancing possibilities of developing particular medical conditions were investigated by applying qualitative anthropological methodology, emphasizing semi-structured in-depth interviews, a standard qualitative sample, and respondents’ self-reporting.

Results Social environment of sex work, generally considered risky due to sexually and blood-transmitted diseases, in this study also proved as receptive for many other illnesses, whose syndemic character has been insufficiently addressed. The study confirmed the syndemic nature of street sex work.

Conclusion The social science perspective should be used in health policy conceptualization and implementation not only during latter stages, i.e. in the interpretation of the social conditions influencing medical related issues, but during early stages of understanding how those conditions and issues circularly constitute each other.

Keywords: medical anthropology; qualitative research; street sex work; risk environment; syndemics: health policy