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. 2009 May 27;4:11. doi: 10.1186/1747-597X-4-11

Table 2.

Sociodemographic characteristics, by sex worker status

Characteristic, Column % Overall
N = 506
Female sex workersa
N = 335
Non-Sex workers
N = 171
χ2 testb
p-values
Age Group (years)
18–25 47.4 44.8 52.6 0.094
26–55 52.6 55.2 47.4
Years of Education
Lower than 7th grade 15.4 21.5 3.5 <0.001
7th to 12th grade 76.9 74.3 81.9
Higher than 12th grade 7.7 4.2 14.6
Current Marital Status
Single, without a main sex partner 22.9 34.3 0.6 <0.001
Not living with a main sex partner 48.3 37.0 70.2
Living with a main sex partner 24.7 26.5 21.1
Married, separated, divorced, or widowed 4.2 2.1 8.2
Number of Children
None 33.8 34.3 29.8 0.186
One 33.4 31.0 39.2
Two or more 32.8 34.6 31.0
Residence or Living Space with Running Water, Yes 77.7 69.3 94.2 <0.001
Residence or Living Space with Electricity, Yes 59.3 43.3 90.6 <0.001
Family History of Alcohol or Drug Abusec, Yes 70.2 66.0 78.4 0.004
History of Being Physically Abusedd, Yes 53.8 63.3 35.1 <0.001
History of Being Sexually Abusede, Yes 30.8 37.6 17.5 <0.001
Age of First Alcohol Use
Before 18 46.4 45.4 48.5 0.500
18 or older 53.6 54.6 51.5
Age of First Marijuana, Dagga, or Ganja Use
Never used 44.9 32.5 69.0 <0.001
Before 18 19.0 20.3 16.4
18 or older 36.2 47.2 14.6

a Female sex workers are defined as females who had traded sex for drugs, money, food, or other goods in the past 90 days.

b Pearson chi-square test

NS: p > 0.05

c Family history of alcohol or other drug abuse: Ever having problems with alcohol or other drug use by any biological family member of the respondent.

d History of being physically abused: Ever being physically hurt by striking or beating to the point that the respondent had bruises, cuts, or broken bones.

e History of being sexually abused: Ever being pressured or forced to participate in sexual acts against the respondent's will.