Health Issues Associated with Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Children in the United States: A Systematic Review

Behavioral Medicine
PhuongThao D LeEmily Goldmann

Abstract

This article reviews studies examining health issues associated with commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking (CSE/ST) of children in the United States. We searched five health and social sciences databases for peer-reviewed articles published in English between January 1990 and April 2017. After independent screening of the records, we identified 27 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Descriptions of the included studies and their definitions of CSE/ST are provided. Most of the studies sampled children and youth in urban, metropolitan areas and employed cross-sectional surveys or reviewed case files and medical records of convenience samples. Studies differed widely in their operationalization of CSE/ST, which limit systematic comparison across studies and the generalizability of findings. Qualitative analysis of the included studies shows that among commercially sexually exploited/trafficked children, there are elevated burdens of substance use and abuse, mental health disorders such as depression, PTSD, suicidal behaviors, and sexual and reproductive health issues including STIs, HIV, and pregnancy. This review underscores the need for more empirical studies, to guide an evidence-based understanding of and res...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 30, 2020·Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services·Sandra Yaklin, Donna Rolin
Mar 16, 2021·Trauma, Violence & Abuse·Beatriz BenaventeNoemí Pereda
Dec 24, 2020·AIDS Care·Yeon Jung YuChristopher McCarty
Jun 25, 2021·Annals of Global Health·Angela DiazJohn Steever
Dec 22, 2021·Qualitative Health Research·Laura Cordisco TsaiMilton Wainberg
Feb 4, 2022·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Cristofer Ruiz-GonzalezNuria Sanchez-Labraca

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