Individual and Communal Factors Associated with Re-Trafficking Vulnerability Among Female Survivors in Kampala, Central Uganda

Background and Purpose: Human trafficking is a common issue in Uganda, particularly affecting female survivors who are often vulnerable to re-trafficking as a result of interactions between individual and communal factors. This vulnerability is exacerbated by limited access to basic social services, poverty, and lack of support structures. The current study examines the social demographic characteristics, perceived social support, and communal and individual factors that influence re-trafficking vulnerability among female survivors in Central Uganda.

Methods: This was a Cross-Sectional study conducted in January 2025 among 350 consenting women aged 18-35 years who were survivors of sex and labor trafficking, receiving rehabilitation services at seven (7) sites in Kampala, Uganda. Convenience sampling was used to select participants, and face-to-face same sex interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Data on participant’s socio-demographic characteristics, perceived social support using a 12-item validated multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) on three domains: family, friends, and a significant other, measured on a Likert scale, with a cut-off score of >=8.6 for positive screen was obtain, and the risk of re-trafficking was measured using the 8-item Adult Human Trafficking Screening scale (AHTST) coded as yes/no, with a cutoff score of >=5.0 for positive screen was also obtained. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance were performed using Stata version 17.0.

Results: Out of the 350 female survivors surveyed, 70.3% were aged 18–24 years, mean= 25.4, (SD=8.5). Majority (80%) were single, and nearly half (48%) had only primary education. Mean perceived social support (PSS) score was 24.8 (SD= 8.6), and over half (63.4%) reported recent exchange of sex for money. Re-trafficking vulnerability was significantly higher and associated with exchange of sex for money (99.1%, X²= 11.1: P < 0.01). In adjusted models; exchange of sex for money and being widowed were significantly associated with a 6% increased risk of being re-trafficked (aRR = 1.06, 95% CI, P = 0.014), and 4% increased risk of being re-trafficked (aRR= 1.04, 95% CI: P = 0.012) respectively, while education- primary and family support both had a 5% lower risk of being re-trafficked (aRR = 0.95, 95% CI, P= 0.021) and (aRR = 0.95, 95% CI, P= 0.003) respectively.

Conclusion and Implications: Our findings emphasize the relevance of social support, particularly from family and significant others, and the need for education and economic empowerment to reduce vulnerability. The high prevalence of transactional sex among survivors of trafficking reveals the need to address, social and economic disparities among this population and provide an alternative source of livelihood to this vulnerable group. There is a need for strengthening social support systems and promote education and economic opportunities to reduce re-trafficking vulnerability and promote reintegration of survivors into the community.