VULNERABILITY FOR AIDS IN WOMEN WHO EXERCISE PROSTITUTION IN SEVILLA

The objective of this study was to report factors associated with vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in women in social difficulty who practice prostitution in Seville-Spain. A qualitative study was carried out, consisting of a review of bibliographical sources and an account of observations in a project of Social Assistance to Prostituted Women of a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in Spain with an office in Seville. Field work was carried out between April and May 2017 and a field notebook was used to record information. The sample consisted of 15 participants who met eligibility criteria. Women in prostitution served by the NGO come from environments of structural poverty, places where basic resources are lacking, places in conflict or where they have suffered violence. However, prostitution further deepens this situation. In this study, the female condition marked by a poor economic situation was considered a determinant of social vulnerability evidenced by associated factors, such as drug use, sexual partnering, financial and economic dependence and the question of survival. Programmatic vulnerability was identified in the lack of awareness of Sexually Transmitted Infections prevention programs, aspects of motherhood and reproductive health, and the impact of HIV diagnosis. Based on the results of this study, it is possible to observe the need to create prevention and promotion programs taking into account social vulnerability, including intervention in problem solving and coping strategies.