Sex work, drug use and sexual health risks: Occupational norms among brothel-based sex workers in a Nigerian city

摘要: This article examines drug use and sexual health risks among sex workers in Ikot Ekpene, an urban centre Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained through in-depth personal interviews focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 86 brothel-based female workers. Findings showed that drugs was part occupational culture work. Drug is functional attracting keeping clients, coping with stigma negative societal perception, enhancing role performance, maximizing gains from economy dealing threats violence pimps police. It argued alcohol shaped by social organization work, including normative expectations, pressures, attitudes towards work arising socio-cultural context their lives Drugs occupy ambiguous position workers; while helping negotiate improve it also predisposes them to outcomes. Efforts should grapple cultural realities as a risky behaviour Key Words : Sex use, brothels, risks, Nigeria