Nonmedical use of prescription drugs and biopsychosocial correlates among females who are sex workers in China

Abstract

Background: Nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMPUD) has become a critical public health concern. Chinese literature has paid growing attention to NMUPD, but scarce research has focused on females who are sex workers (FSWs), who have a high risk of substance use. The current study aimed to examine NMUPD and its biopsychosocial correlates in Chinese FSWs. Methods: A total of 410 FSWs (mean age = 33.58 years) from Guangxi, China, completed an anonymous, self-administered survey evaluating NMUPD, somatic symptoms, and psychosocial distress. Results: Overall, 46.6% of FSWs reported lifetime NMUPD and 17.6% reported past-3-month NMUPD. The most commonly reported medications that were used nonmedically were analgesics (46.3%, lifetime; 17.6%, past 3 months). A majority of FSWs (69.1%) reported “relieving pain” as the motive of their NMUPD. FSWs reporting NMUPD were more likely to be younger, be unmarried, have higher income, and work in multiple venues/high-paying venues. Somatic symptoms and psychosocial distress were associated with NMUPD in Chinese FSWs. Conclusions: NMUPD was prevalent in Chinese FSWs and was associated with biopsychosocial factors. Critical attention should be paid to NMUPD in FSWs. Future NMUPD prevention intervention among FSWs may benefit from attending to biopsychosocial factors.

Keywords:

• Nonmedical use of prescription drugs
• females who are sex workers
• somatic symptoms
• depression
• loneliness
• perceived stress
• China

Author contributions

CCT and YZ were responsible for the original draft and revisions of the manuscript and data analyses. CCT, YZ, EB, XL, SQ, and QZ were responsible for conceptualizing the study, including developing the methodology, designing the study, and providing leadership. YZ was responsible for data collection.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this manuscript was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under award number 71673146. The funding organization had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.