Self-care from the perspective by female sex workers to prevent and face the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Abstract

The objective was to identify the me-anings attributed to self-care and its relationship with the actions taken by female sex workers in preventing and coping with COVID-19. Qualitative study supported by the Self-Care Nursing theory. An in-depth interview was carried out with 30 female sex workers from the Alto Sertão Produtivo Baiano. The IRAMUTEQ software was used to analyze the speeches, with the Des-cending Hierarchical Classification dendrogram. Four classes were observed, revealing the meanin-gs attributed to self-care: the idea that self-care promotes quality of life and well-being; money as a facilitating instrument for self-care actions, both in preventing COVID-19 and in coping with difficulties; in addition to the notion that self-care contributes to the care of those around them. It is concluded that the female sex workers demons-trated to understand the concept of self-care in association with the notion of precaution, while prevention is carried out through the recommendations made by competent bodies. Furthermore, a self-care deficit was noticed due to the conditions present in the sexual service and the difficulties imposed by the pandemic.