Most Used Settings, Time of the Day, Length of Duration of Sexual Acts Among Sex Workers and Commercial Sex Hotspots in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Commercial sex work is a global phenomenon and in Ghana it exists in a number of localities. However, research on its varied facets is scanty. This study set out to examine the nature of commercial sex work, particularly the settings (venues), preferred time of the day, length of duration of the sexual act and commercial sex hotspots in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. Using a nested concurrent mixed method design, a sample of 364 participants (356 commercial sex workers and 8 key persons) were reached for the study. A questionnaire, and an interview guide were used to collect data for the study. Frequencies, percentages, and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data. The study found that the most preferred time of the day for sexual engagement was night time and the most preferred length of duration for sexual acts was the short – time – service. Guest houses was the most preferred setting for attending to clients. The study concluded that a number of popular and active commercial sex hotspots exist in the Cape Coast Metropolis though the practice is known to be illegal. The study recommends that the researchers should liaise with the key stakeholder institutions in the Cape Coast Metropolis, particularly the Ministry of Education and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly to intensify sensitization drives geared toward discouraging the patronage of the hotspots to render them less appealing. They should also ensure that the law-enforcement agencies are adequately resourced and empowered to effectively carry out the needed enforcement activities to discourage the creation, functioning and patronage of the commercial sex hotspots in the Cape Coast Metropolis.