Problem: Explain the gap and the need for more research for the following topic: Phenomenology study on the life experiences of illicit drug use among adults reflecting on their non-enrolled high school-aged experiences in Liberia, West Africa. USING THIS INFORMATION: Due to the relevance of females getting pregnant and dropping out of school, Sileo et al. (2019) conducted a study with 191 pregnant women aged 18 to 30 from a community health clinic in Monrovia to investigate if mental health issues caused females to engage in transactional sex. All participants reported experiencing at least one traumatic event, while 30.4% experienced intimate partner violence. The findings found that greater exposure to trauma, depressive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and recent intimate partner violence significantly increased the likelihood of a female to engage in transactional sex. Women with the highest trauma exposure were about eight times more likely to engage in transactional sex compared to those with less exposure. Engaging in transactional sex increased the risk of contracting HIV, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, sexual violence, and substance use. Furthermore, 93% of the women engaging in transactional sex disclosed they did not use condoms. Need Assignment Help?