Tara Beattie
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 147610 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Tara Beattie |
| NOMBRES | Tara |
| APELLIDO | Beattie |
| FIRMA | BEATTIE T |
| AFILIACIONES | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9156-7341 |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 34 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 35 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 34 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2009 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 3 |
Longitudinal assessment of changes in hair cortisol levels and associations with violence, poor mental health and harmful substance use among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
Female sex workers (FSWs) in sub-Saharan Africa commonly experience violence, mental health problems, and harmful substance use. Stressful life events can harm the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, serving as a pathway to increased poor health, including HIV susceptibility through cortisol levels. In this paper, we examine changes in hair cortisol concentration (HCC) levels and associations with experiences of violence…
Experiences and self-care efforts among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya, during Covid-19
Although the COVID-19 measures were aimed at the public good, they resulted in massive economic disruptions. We explored female sex workers’ (FSWs) experiences and self-care efforts following the deployment of COVID-19 containment measures in Nairobi, Kenya. Forty-seven women drawn from 1003 FSWs enrolled in the Maisha Fiti Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Study participated. An in-depth interview tool was used to capture FSW’ experiences and coping st…
Crises and complexity
The end of the COVID-19 global health emergency presents an opportunity to reflect on actions needed to enhance the effectiveness of responses to any future shocks. We highlight critical areas requiring attention from researchers and research commissioners to enhance the identification and adoption of ‘good value’ interventions, and we discuss the complexities of evidence-informed decision-making across multiple sectors, the evolving role of mode…
Factors Associated with Usage of Oral-PrEP among Female Sex Workers in Nairobi, Kenya, Assessed by Self-Report and a Point-of-Care Urine Tenofovir Immunoassay
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective at reducing HIV acquisition. We aimed to estimate usage of oral-PrEP, and factors associated with adherence among female sex workers (FSWs) in Nairobi, Kenya, using a novel point-of-care urine tenofovir lateral flow assay (LFA). The Maisha Fiti study randomly selected FSWs from Sex Worker Outreach Program clinics in Nairobi. Data were collected from 1003 FSWs from June-October 2019, including su…
The epidemiology of HIV infection among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
High HIV prevalence among female sex workers (FSWs) is heavily influenced by structural determinants (e.g. criminalisation of sex work; violence) and significant life events (e.g. orphanhood, teenage pregnancy). This study aims to understand the epidemiology of HIV among FSWs in Nairobi, Kenya using a structural determinants and life-course perspective. Baseline cross-sectional survey data were collected June–December 2019 for the Maisha Fiti stu…
Are violence, harmful alcohol/substance use and poor mental health associated with increased genital inflammation
Violence, alcohol use, substance use and poor mental health have been linked with increased HIV acquisition risk, and genital inflammation enhances HIV susceptibility. We examined whether past 6 month experience of these exposures was associated with increased genital inflammation, thereby providing a biological link between these exposures and HIV acquisition risk. The Maisha Fiti study was a longitudinal mixed-methods study of female sex worker…
Boys’ perspectives on girls’ marriage and school dropout
Girls' education has for many decades been central to the global development agenda, due to its positive impact on girls' health and wellbeing. In this paper, the authors revisit boys' attitudes, behaviours and norms related to girls' education, following the Samata intervention to prevent girls' school dropouts in Northern-Karnataka, South India. Data were collected from 20 boys in intervention villages before and after the intervention, and ana…
Alcohol use and associated risk factors among female sex workers in low- and middle-income countries
Due to its widespread use in the sex work industry, female sex workers (FSWs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at high risk of harmful alcohol use and associated adverse health outcomes. Factors associated with harmful alcohol use include violence, mental health problems, drug use, sexual risk behaviors and HIV/STIs. To our knowledge, there has been no quantitative synthesis of FSW alcohol use data to date. This systematic review a…
Surviving pandemic control measures
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kenya Ministry of Health instituted movement cessation measures and limits on face-to-face meetings. We explore the ways in which female sex workers (FSWs) in Nairobi were affected by the COVID-19 control measures and the ways they coped with the hardships. Forty-seven women were randomly sampled from the Maisha Fiti study, a longitudinal study of 1003 FSWs accessing sexual reproductive health servic…
Conducting Violence and Mental Health Research with Female Sex Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Conducting violence and mental health research during the COVID-19 pandemic with vulnerable groups such as female sex workers (FSWs) required care to ensure that participants and the research team were not harmed. Potential risks and harm avoidance needed to be considered as well as ensuring data reliability. In March 2020, COVID-19 restrictions were imposed in Kenya during follow-up data collection for the Maisha Fiti study ( n = 1003); hence da…
Violence across the Life Course and Implications for Intervention Design
We examined violence experiences among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in Nairobi, Kenya, and how these relate to HIV risk using a life course perspective. Baseline behavioural-biological surveys were conducted with 1003 FSWs June-December 2019. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations of life course factors with reported experience of physical or sex…
Managing motherhood – the experiences of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
Women selling sex often face challenges in raising their children in the context of significant socio-economic difficulties and the social stigma inherent in sex work. This paper is based on a cross-sectional qualitative study that explored the dual roles of motherhood and sex work among female sex workers enrolled for ongoing HIV prevention and treatment services in the Sex Workers Outreach Programme (SWOP) clinics in Nairobi, Kenya. We examined…
Remote methods for research on violence against women and children
Collecting data to understand violence against women and children during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to inform violence prevention and response efforts. Although researchers across fields have pivoted to remote rather than in-person data collection, remote research on violence against women, children and young people poses particular challenges. As a group of violence researchers, we reflect on our experiences across eight studie…
Longitudinal experiences and risk factors for common mental health problems and suicidal behaviours among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
Our study found a decline in mental health problems but high levels of persistent suicidal behaviours among FSWs. Syndemic risk factors including food insecurity and violence were longitudinally associated with mental health problems and recent suicidal behaviours. There is a need for accessible mental health services for FSWs, alongside structural interventions addressing poverty and violence
Harmful Alcohol and Drug Use Is Associated with Syndemic Risk Factors among Female Sex Workers in Nairobi, Kenya
Background: Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are at high risk of harmful alcohol and other drug use. We use quantitative data to describe the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use and identify associated occupational and socio-economic risk factors, and aim to elucidate patterns of alcohol and drug use through information drawn from qualitative data. Methods: Maisha Fiti was a mixed-method longitudinal study conducted in 2019 among a random sample of…
Beaten but not down! Exploring resilience among female sex workers (FSWs) in Nairobi, Kenya
Despite the adverse experiences throughout the lives of FSWs, resilience was a key theme that emerged from this study. A holistic approach is needed in addressing the health needs of female sex workers. Encouraging FSWs to come together and advocating together for their needs is a key resource from which resilience and forbearance can grow. Upstream prevention through strengthening of education systems and supporting girls to stay in school and c…
Mental health challenges and perceived risks among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
There is a need for both micro- and macro interventions to address poverty and violence against FSWs in Kenya, thereby reducing mental health problems. Addressing violence against women and girls may also reduce entry into sex work. Improving mental health literacy and providing mental health intervention services for 'at-risk' populations such as FSWs should enhance coping strategies and help-seeking efficacy
I have the confidence to ask’
Gender norms serve to normalise gender inequalities and constrain girls’ agency. This paper examines how girls’ agency, along a continuum, is influenced by the interplay between constraining and enabling influences in the girls’ environments. We analyse data from a qualitative study nested within a cluster randomised evaluation of Samata, a multi-layered programme supporting adolescent girls to stay in school and delay marriage in Karnataka, Sout…
Adolescent Girls and Their Family Members’ Attitudes Around Gendered Power Inequity and Associations with Future Aspirations in Karnataka, India
Intergenerational differences in inequitable gender attitudes may influence developmental outcomes, including education. In rural Karnataka, India, we examined the extent of intergenerational (adolescent girls [AGs] vs. older generation family members) dis/agreement to attitudes around gendered power inequities, including gender roles and violence against women (VAW). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression examined associations between inter…
The relationship between intimate partner violence and probable depression among adolescent girls and young women in Lilongwe, Malawi
This analysis estimates prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with probable depression among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Lilongwe, Malawi, and whether partner's controlling behaviour modifies this relationship. Baseline data was utilised from the Girl Power-Malawi study of 1000 15-24-year-old AGYW in Lilongwe. Emotional, physical, and sexual IPV experiences with a current or recent partner were measured …
The Samata intervention to increase secondary school completion and reduce child marriage among adolescent girls
BACKGROUND: Secondary education and delayed marriage provide long-term socio-economic and health benefits to adolescent girls. We tested whether a structural and norms-based intervention, which worked with adolescent girls, their families, communities, and secondary schools to address poverty, schooling quality and gender norms, could reduce secondary school drop-out and child marriage among scheduled-caste/scheduled-tribe (SC/ST) adolescent girl…
What determines violence among female sex workers in an intimate partner relationship? Findings from North Karnataka, south India
Clinical Trials NCT02807259
Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among 13–14 year old adolescent girls in North Karnataka, South India
Prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.GovNCT01996241 . November 27, 2013
The cost of safe sex
There is some evidence that female sex workers (FSWs) receive greater earnings for providing unprotected sex. In 2003, the landscape of the fight against HIV/AIDS dramatically changed in India with the introduction of Avahan, the largest HIV prevention programme implemented globally. Using a unique, cross-sectional bio-behavioural dataset from 3591 FSWs located in the four Indian states where Avahan was implemented, we estimate the economic loss …
Developing a Mental Health Measurement Strategy to Capture Psychological Problems among Lower Caste Adolescent Girls in Rural, South India
Adolescent girls vulnerable to early marriage and school dropout in rural India may be at elevated risk of psychosocial problems. However, few screening instruments have been culturally adapted and validated to measure this risk. This paper describes the process by which the Primary Health Questionnaire PHQ-9, a screening instrument for depression, was tested for cultural validity as part of the Samata evaluation - an intervention to support low …
The barriers and enablers to education among scheduled caste and scheduled tribe adolescent girls in northern Karnataka, South India
This qualitative study explored the barriers and enablers to scheduled caste/scheduled tribe (SC/ST) adolescent girls entering into, and completing secondary education in northern Karnataka, South India. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 adolescent girls, their respective parent/guardian (n = 22) and 11 teachers, recruited purposively from 11 villages within two districts in northern Karnataka. Multiple barriers were identified to disadv…
Personal, interpersonal and structural challenges to accessing HIV testing, treatment and care services among female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgenders in Karnataka state, South I…
BACKGROUND: Despite high HIV prevalence rates among most-at-risk groups, utilisation of HIV testing, treatment and care services was relatively low in Karnataka prior to 2008. The authors aimed to understand the barriers to and identify potential solutions for improving HIV service utilisation. METHODS: Focus group discussions were carried out among homogeneous groups of female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgenders, and programm…
The cost of safe sex
There is some evidence that female sex workers (FSWs) receive greater earnings for providing unprotected sex. In 2003, the landscape of the fight against HIV/AIDS dramatically changed in India with the introduction of Avahan, the largest HIV prevention programme implemented globally. Using a unique, cross-sectional bio-behavioural dataset from 3591 FSWs located in the four Indian states where Avahan was implemented, we estimate the economic loss …
Community Mobilization and Empowerment of Female Sex Workers in Karnataka State, South India
Objectives. We examined the impact of community mobilization (CM) on the empowerment, risk behaviors, and prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infection in female sex workers (FSWs) in Karnataka, India. Methods. We conducted behavioral–biological surveys in 2008 and 2011 in 4 districts of Karnataka, India. We defined exposure to CM as low, medium (attended nongovernmental organization meeting or drop-in centre), or high (member of collectiv…
Adolescent Girls and Their Family Members’ Attitudes Around Gendered Power Inequity and Associations with Future Aspirations in Karnataka, India
Intergenerational differences in inequitable gender attitudes may influence developmental outcomes, including education. In rural Karnataka, India, we examined the extent of intergenerational (adolescent girls [AGs] vs. older generation family members) dis/agreement to attitudes around gendered power inequities, including gender roles and violence against women (VAW). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression examined associations between inter…
Blood, men and tears
The Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) is an effective method of contraception, but in Bangladesh is associated with high levels of discontinuation within the first year. This study involved data collection from a retrospective cohort of women who had an IUD inserted 12 months earlier. In the cohort, 330 women were interviewed to identify factors associated with discontinuation. Later, 20 women, of the 103 who reported discontinuing because of excessive …
Violence against female sex workers in Karnataka state, south India
This program demonstrates that a structural approach to addressing violence can be effectively delivered at scale. Addressing violence against FSWs is important for the success of HIV prevention programs, and for protecting their basic human rights
An integrated structural intervention to reduce vulnerability to HIV and sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Karnataka state, south India
Stigma, discrimination, violence, harassment and social equity issues are critical concerns of FSWs. This report demonstrates that it is possible to address these broader structural factors as part of large-scale HIV prevention programming. Although assessing the impact of the various components of a structural intervention on reducing HIV vulnerability is difficult, addressing the broader structural factors contributing to FSW vulnerability is c…
Personal, interpersonal and structural challenges to accessing HIV testing, treatment and care services among female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgenders in Karnataka state, South I…
BACKGROUND: Despite high HIV prevalence rates among most-at-risk groups, utilisation of HIV testing, treatment and care services was relatively low in Karnataka prior to 2008. The authors aimed to understand the barriers to and identify potential solutions for improving HIV service utilisation. METHODS: Focus group discussions were carried out among homogeneous groups of female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgenders, and programm…
Vulnerability re-assessed
We conducted a qualitative study to examine the impact of an HIV prevention programme on female sex workers' lives in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. The study found evidence that, in addition to the HIV prevention programme, structural and environmental factors had recently changed the way sex work was being practiced. Recent closure of the brothels and implementation of a late-night street curfew by the police meant sex work had become more hi…
Community Mobilization and Empowerment of Female Sex Workers in Karnataka State, South India
Objectives. We examined the impact of community mobilization (CM) on the empowerment, risk behaviors, and prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infection in female sex workers (FSWs) in Karnataka, India. Methods. We conducted behavioral–biological surveys in 2008 and 2011 in 4 districts of Karnataka, India. We defined exposure to CM as low, medium (attended nongovernmental organization meeting or drop-in centre), or high (member of collectiv…
Supporting adolescent girls to stay in school, reduce child marriage and reduce entry into sex work as HIV risk prevention in north Karnataka, India
ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT01996241 . 16th November 2013
Reducing violence and increasing condom use in the intimate partnerships of female sex workers
Clinical Trials NCT02807259 Jun 24 2016 (retrospectively registered)
The barriers and enablers to education among scheduled caste and scheduled tribe adolescent girls in northern Karnataka, South India
This qualitative study explored the barriers and enablers to scheduled caste/scheduled tribe (SC/ST) adolescent girls entering into, and completing secondary education in northern Karnataka, South India. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 adolescent girls, their respective parent/guardian (n = 22) and 11 teachers, recruited purposively from 11 villages within two districts in northern Karnataka. Multiple barriers were identified to disadv…
The Samata intervention to increase secondary school completion and reduce child marriage among adolescent girls
BACKGROUND: Secondary education and delayed marriage provide long-term socio-economic and health benefits to adolescent girls. We tested whether a structural and norms-based intervention, which worked with adolescent girls, their families, communities, and secondary schools to address poverty, schooling quality and gender norms, could reduce secondary school drop-out and child marriage among scheduled-caste/scheduled-tribe (SC/ST) adolescent girl…
What determines violence among female sex workers in an intimate partner relationship? Findings from North Karnataka, south India
Clinical Trials NCT02807259
Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among 13–14 year old adolescent girls in North Karnataka, South India
Prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.GovNCT01996241 . November 27, 2013
The cost of safe sex
There is some evidence that female sex workers (FSWs) receive greater earnings for providing unprotected sex. In 2003, the landscape of the fight against HIV/AIDS dramatically changed in India with the introduction of Avahan, the largest HIV prevention programme implemented globally. Using a unique, cross-sectional bio-behavioural dataset from 3591 FSWs located in the four Indian states where Avahan was implemented, we estimate the economic loss …
Developing a Mental Health Measurement Strategy to Capture Psychological Problems among Lower Caste Adolescent Girls in Rural, South India
Adolescent girls vulnerable to early marriage and school dropout in rural India may be at elevated risk of psychosocial problems. However, few screening instruments have been culturally adapted and validated to measure this risk. This paper describes the process by which the Primary Health Questionnaire PHQ-9, a screening instrument for depression, was tested for cultural validity as part of the Samata evaluation - an intervention to support low …
The relationship between intimate partner violence and probable depression among adolescent girls and young women in Lilongwe, Malawi
This analysis estimates prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with probable depression among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Lilongwe, Malawi, and whether partner's controlling behaviour modifies this relationship. Baseline data was utilised from the Girl Power-Malawi study of 1000 15-24-year-old AGYW in Lilongwe. Emotional, physical, and sexual IPV experiences with a current or recent partner were measured …
Remote methods for research on violence against women and children
Collecting data to understand violence against women and children during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to inform violence prevention and response efforts. Although researchers across fields have pivoted to remote rather than in-person data collection, remote research on violence against women, children and young people poses particular challenges. As a group of violence researchers, we reflect on our experiences across eight studie…
Longitudinal experiences and risk factors for common mental health problems and suicidal behaviours among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
Our study found a decline in mental health problems but high levels of persistent suicidal behaviours among FSWs. Syndemic risk factors including food insecurity and violence were longitudinally associated with mental health problems and recent suicidal behaviours. There is a need for accessible mental health services for FSWs, alongside structural interventions addressing poverty and violence
Harmful Alcohol and Drug Use Is Associated with Syndemic Risk Factors among Female Sex Workers in Nairobi, Kenya
Background: Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are at high risk of harmful alcohol and other drug use. We use quantitative data to describe the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use and identify associated occupational and socio-economic risk factors, and aim to elucidate patterns of alcohol and drug use through information drawn from qualitative data. Methods: Maisha Fiti was a mixed-method longitudinal study conducted in 2019 among a random sample of…
Beaten but not down! Exploring resilience among female sex workers (FSWs) in Nairobi, Kenya
Despite the adverse experiences throughout the lives of FSWs, resilience was a key theme that emerged from this study. A holistic approach is needed in addressing the health needs of female sex workers. Encouraging FSWs to come together and advocating together for their needs is a key resource from which resilience and forbearance can grow. Upstream prevention through strengthening of education systems and supporting girls to stay in school and c…
Mental health challenges and perceived risks among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
There is a need for both micro- and macro interventions to address poverty and violence against FSWs in Kenya, thereby reducing mental health problems. Addressing violence against women and girls may also reduce entry into sex work. Improving mental health literacy and providing mental health intervention services for 'at-risk' populations such as FSWs should enhance coping strategies and help-seeking efficacy
I have the confidence to ask’
Gender norms serve to normalise gender inequalities and constrain girls’ agency. This paper examines how girls’ agency, along a continuum, is influenced by the interplay between constraining and enabling influences in the girls’ environments. We analyse data from a qualitative study nested within a cluster randomised evaluation of Samata, a multi-layered programme supporting adolescent girls to stay in school and delay marriage in Karnataka, Sout…
Adolescent Girls and Their Family Members’ Attitudes Around Gendered Power Inequity and Associations with Future Aspirations in Karnataka, India
Intergenerational differences in inequitable gender attitudes may influence developmental outcomes, including education. In rural Karnataka, India, we examined the extent of intergenerational (adolescent girls [AGs] vs. older generation family members) dis/agreement to attitudes around gendered power inequities, including gender roles and violence against women (VAW). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression examined associations between inter…
Alcohol use and associated risk factors among female sex workers in low- and middle-income countries
Due to its widespread use in the sex work industry, female sex workers (FSWs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at high risk of harmful alcohol use and associated adverse health outcomes. Factors associated with harmful alcohol use include violence, mental health problems, drug use, sexual risk behaviors and HIV/STIs. To our knowledge, there has been no quantitative synthesis of FSW alcohol use data to date. This systematic review a…
Surviving pandemic control measures
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kenya Ministry of Health instituted movement cessation measures and limits on face-to-face meetings. We explore the ways in which female sex workers (FSWs) in Nairobi were affected by the COVID-19 control measures and the ways they coped with the hardships. Forty-seven women were randomly sampled from the Maisha Fiti study, a longitudinal study of 1003 FSWs accessing sexual reproductive health servic…
Conducting Violence and Mental Health Research with Female Sex Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Conducting violence and mental health research during the COVID-19 pandemic with vulnerable groups such as female sex workers (FSWs) required care to ensure that participants and the research team were not harmed. Potential risks and harm avoidance needed to be considered as well as ensuring data reliability. In March 2020, COVID-19 restrictions were imposed in Kenya during follow-up data collection for the Maisha Fiti study ( n = 1003); hence da…
Medicine (29 obras) · Sex work and related issues (21 obras) · Environmental health (20 obras) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (17 obras) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (15 obras) · Nursing (15 obras) · Psychology (15 obras) · Family medicine (14 obras) · Sociology (14 obras) · Demography (13 obras)