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BMC International Health and Human Rights
Published in: BMC International Health and Human Rights 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

The impact of a microsavings intervention on reducing violence against women engaged in sex work: a randomized controlled study

Authors: Laura Cordisco Tsai, Catherine E. Carlson, Toivgoo Aira, Andrea Norcini Pala, Marion Riedel, Susan S. Witte

Published in: BMC International Health and Human Rights | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Women who engage in sex work are at risk for experiencing violence from numerous perpetrators, including paying partners. Empirical evidence has shown mixed results regarding the impact of participation in microfinance interventions on women’s experiences of violence, with some studies demonstrating reductions in intimate partner violence (IPV) and others showing heightened risk for IPV. The current study reports on the impact of participation in a microsavings intervention on experiences of paying partner violence among women engaged in sex work in Mongolia.

Methods

Between 2011 and 2013, we conducted a two-arm, non-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing an HIV/STI risk reduction intervention (HIVSRR) (control condition) to a combined microsavings and HIVSRR intervention (treatment condition). Eligible women (aged 18 or older, reported having engaged in unprotected sex with paying partner in past 90 days, expressed interest in microsavings intervention) were invited to participate. One hundred seven were randomized, including 50 in the control and 57 in the treatment condition. Participants completed assessments at baseline, immediate post-test following HIVSRR, and at 3-months and 6-months after completion of the treatment group intervention. Outcomes for the current study include any violence (physical and/or sexual), sexual violence, and physical violence from paying partners in the past 90 days.

Results

An intention-to-treat approach was utilized. Linear growth models revealed significant reductions over time in both conditions for any violence (β = −0.867, p < 0.001), physical violence (β = −0.0923, p < 0.001), and sexual violence (β = −1.639, p = 0.001) from paying partners. No significant differences between groups were found for any violence (β = 0.118, p = 0.389), physical violence (β = 0.091, p = 0.792), or sexual violence (β = 0.379, p = 0.114) from paying partners.

Conclusions

Microsavings participation did not significantly impact women’s risk for paying partner violence. Qualitative research is recommended to understand the cause for reductions in paying partner violence in both study conditions.

Trial registration

Evaluating a Microfinance Intervention for High Risk Women in Mongolia; NCT01861431; May 20, 2013.
Footnotes
1
A ger is a circular residence that is constructed with wooden frames and felt walls. Gers have traditionally been used as the dwelling place of nomadic peoples in Mongolia. In urban Ulaanbaatar, residents construct gers in congregated areas called ger districts.
 
2
At the time of developing this intervention, the conversion rate between MNT and USD was roughly 1300 MNT per USD. The conversion rate changed throughout the project, as inflation was volatile in Mongolia during the study.
 
3
Model fit indexes such as RMSEA and CFI/TLI are not available when binary data are analyzed with MLR estimator.
 
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Metadata
Title
The impact of a microsavings intervention on reducing violence against women engaged in sex work: a randomized controlled study
Authors
Laura Cordisco Tsai
Catherine E. Carlson
Toivgoo Aira
Andrea Norcini Pala
Marion Riedel
Susan S. Witte
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC International Health and Human Rights / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1472-698X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12914-016-0101-3

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