Motivations to Use Substances by Female Sex Workers

Abstract

Female sex workers (FSWs) face high stress, stigma, and insecurity. Many use substances to cope, yet Sri Lankan evidence about why they use is limited. This quantitative cross-sectional study surveyed 60 FSWs in Colombo using a structured questionnaire (demographics, sex-work profile, substance patterns, motivations, health concerns, impacts). Descriptive statistics summarized responses. Heroin and alcohol were the most used substances; 40% used daily. Most respondents agreed they used substances to cope with stress (80%), escape problems (76%), relax after work (72%), gain confidence with clients (66%), and improve performance (60%). 50% reported strong financial strain; 63% anxiety/depression symptoms; 40% health issues. 80% said substances were needed or sometimes needed to do sex work. Findings indicate primarily coping and work-related motivations. Programs should offer stress- management, trauma-informed counseling, low threshold harm reduction, and practical social/economic support.