Drug consumption and violence in female work Zapallal - Lima/Peru

Abstract

The study design was descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional, and qualitative. The objective was to identify sociodemographic and labor risk factors for drug consumption and types of violence in the workplace related to drug consumption, as well as to understand the perception of female workers regarding the relationship between drug consumption and workplace violence. We surveyed 125 women workers of four slums in the area of Zapallal, Lima, Peru, interviewing 16 women who experienced workplace violence. Among the participants, 52.8% consumed alcohol and 6.4% illegal drugs. Catholic women were at risk for consuming alcohol, while participants under 20 years of age were at risk for consuming illicit drugs. In this group, 17.6% of the women experienced verbal violence, 9.6% physical violence and 1.6% were sexually harassed in the workplace. Women victims of verbal violence have a risk for consuming illicit drugs. These women perceived themselves as a vulnerable group for violence in the workplace and weak for defending themselves. They expressed fear or shame in reporting cases of violence.