​​Violence, mental health, inflammation and HIV risk among 1000 female sex workers in Nairobi Kenya: findings from The Maisha Fiti Study​
​​Female sex workers are at high-risk of violence, poor mental health, harmful substance use, and HIV. This mixed-methods, longitudinal study examined if these factors increase HIV-risk by increasing stress-related cortisol levels and levels of systemic and genital inflammation. Speakers at this event will present key findings through speed talks, and consider implications for future research and interventions.​
​​This hybrid event, with a range of academic, policy and end user stakeholders, will comprise a short film, a series of speed talks, Q&A from the audience, and audience discussion of the study implications.
​Attendees will learn about (i) the different pathways into sex work, the resilience of FSWs and how FSWs juggle the dual roles of sex worker and motherhood (ii) the prevalence and key risk factors of violence experience, mental health problems and harmful alcohol and drug use, and (iii) the impact of violence, mental health problems and harmful drinking on cortisol levels and inflammation in the genital tract.
The speakers will discuss the implications of the study findings for future research and interventions, including perspectives from academics, female sex workers and policy makers. ​
Speakers
- ​​Dr Tara Beattie, LSHTM
- ​Professor Helen Weiss, LSHTM
- ​Professor Janet Seeley, LSHTM
- ​Ms Rhoda Kabuti, PHDA
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Study co-ordinator and MSc in Public health from LSHTM
- ​ ​Dr Emily Nyariki, PHDA
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Social scientist with a PhD from the University of Nairobi. Responsible for conducting the qualitative interviews for the Maisha Fiti study.
- ​ ​Ms Justina Nthamo Mutiso, PHDA
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Maisha Fiti study champion, and co-star in the Maisha Fiti short film.
- Ms Daisy Oside, PHDA
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Maisha Fiti study champion, and co-star in the Maisha Fiti short film.
- ​Mrs Pooja Shah, LSHTM
- ​Ms Mamtuti Panneh, LSHTM
- ​Ms Tanya Abramsky, LSHTM
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Epidemiologist with responsibility for conducting longitudinal violence and genital inflammation research for Maisha Fiti.
- ​Dr Alicja Beksinska, LSHTM
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Medical Doctor and epidemiologist responsible for conducting the mental health and alcohol and substance use research for Maisha Fiti.
- ​Mr James Pollock, University of Toronto
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PhD Candidate in Immunology and responsible for the genital immune assays for the Maisha Fiti study
Admission
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