ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic, and its attendant responses, has led to massive health, social, and economic challenges on a global scale. While, so far, having a relatively low burden of COVID-19 infection, it is the response in lower- and middle- income countries that has had particularly dire consequences for impoverished populations such as sex workers, many of whom rely on regular income in the informal economic sector to survive. This commentary captures the challenges in Kenya posed by daily curfews and lost economic income, coupled with further changes to sex work that increase potential exposure to infection, stigmatisation, violence, and various health concerns. It also highlights the ways in which communities and programmes have demonstrated resourcefulness in responding to this unprecedented disruption in order to emerge healthy when COVID-19, and the measures to contain it, subside.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Sex Workers , Adult , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/economics , Coronavirus Infections/transmission , Female , Humans , Kenya/epidemiology , Male , Pandemics/economics , Pneumonia, Viral/economics , Pneumonia, Viral/transmission , Public Health Practice , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Objective:This report identifies the profound effects that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant government lockdown have had on sexual health services delivery to a community of marginalised male sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.Methods:Based on the experiences shared during ongoing virtual conversations with peer health workers, a case study was developed to outline the challenges encountered by peer health workers.Findings:Peer health workers confronted the new health crisis surrounding COVID-19 while also persisting in their efforts to deliver HIV services to male sex workers. Unable to receive status as ?essential workers?, their actions often fell short in efforts to maintain male sex workers? access to vital HIV prevention, treatment and care resources.Conclusion:The struggles encountered, amid dwindling resources, underscore the vital work needed to meet the health needs of a marginalised group that remains largely excluded from the government health system.