Sex work stigma as a partial mediator between social support and depressive symptoms among vulnerable women engaged in sex work in southern Uganda
An article in AIDS and Behavior, published October 27, 2025
Authors: Joshua Kiyingi, Susan S Witte, Proscovia Nabunya, Edward Nsubuga, Phionah Namatovu, Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson, Ozge Sensoy Bahar, Scarlett L Bellamy, Fred M Ssewamala
This study focused on the mental health of women engaged in sex work (WESW) in southern Uganda, particularly examining how stigma and social support interact to influence depressive symptoms. The researchers wanted to see if stigma from family and the community impacts the relationship between the social support these women receive and their levels of depression. They used data from 542 WESW aged 18-58 years who participated in the Kyaterekera study.
The findings showed that social support was linked to reduced depressive symptoms. However, women receiving more social support also reported higher levels of stigma related to their sex work from both family and community sources. Despite this, stigma did not mediate, or explain, the connection between social support and depression. This study suggests that mental health interventions for WESW should focus on building strong, stigma-free support networks, given the critical role of social support in reducing depression. More detailed research using different methods is needed to fully understand these relationships. For HIV researchers and service providers, addressing stigma alongside enhancing support systems could improve mental health outcomes for WESW.