Health needs and service use of parlour‐based prostitutes compared with street‐based prostitutes: a cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

Objectives To compare the health needs of prostitutes (sex workers) working in massage parlours with that of those working on the streets.Design Cross-sectional survey.Setting Inner city, UK.Population Women aged 16 years and older selling sex in massage parlours.Methods Interviewer-administered questionnaires were undertaken with 71 parlour workers, and results were compared with our previous findings for street sex workers.Main outcome measures Self-reported experiences of health and service use.Results In comparison with street sex workers, parlour sex workers were less likely to report chronic (43/71 versus 71/71; P < 0.001) and acute (10/71 versus 35/71; P < 0.001) illnesses but more likely to be registered with a GP (67/71 versus 59/71; P = 0.06). They were more likely than street sex workers to have been screened for sexually transmitted infections in the previous year (49/71 versus 33/71; P = 0.011) and more likely to use contraception in addition to condoms (34/71 versus 8/71; P < 0.001). They were less likely to be overdue for cervical screening (5/46 versus 19/48; P = 0.001), and more of those booked for antenatal care in the first trimester attended all follow-up appointments (28/37 versus 14/47; P < 0.001). Fewer parlour sex workers used heroin (4/71 versus 60/71; P < 0.001), crack cocaine (5/71 versus 62/71; P < 0.001) or injected drugs (2/71 versus 41/71 versus; P < 0.001) They reported fewer episodes of intercourse per week (mean 14 versus 22; P < 0.001) with fewer different men (mean 11 versus 19; P < 0.001), less of whom were new (mean 8 versus 13; P < 0.001).Conclusions The two groups had very different health experiences, risk-taking behaviour and use of services. To be effective in improving health, different types of service delivered in different settings for different groups are required.

Sex Work and the Politics of Space: Case Studies of Sex Workers in Argentina and Ecuador

“…Sex workers perceived that working in the street was more dangerous, particularly because they were more vulnerable to client abuse. These findings are consistent with many other studies on sex worker victimization [4,18,44,79]. Many sex workers, however, viewed brothels and other sex work businesses as exploitative.…”

Deep vein thromboses in users of opioid drugs: incidence, prevalence, and risk factors

“…Use of crack cocaine is known to be high in sex workers, particularly in those who work on the street, compared with parlour workers. 18 Sex workers were found to be particularly at risk of DVT, they have a high use of stimulants including cocaine which is thought to be particularly damaging to veins.…”

Embedding social inclusion in general practice: time for action

“…This includes vulnerable groups such as homeless people, Gypsies and Travellers, and sex workers, as they are reporting some of the worst health outcomes in the country. For example, between 24-68% of sex workers are reporting symptoms of depression, 8 and 38% of Gypsies and Travellers have at least one life-limiting long-term condition. 9 Thanks to the 2012 Act, the role of primary care has now become even more pivotal, as in addition to acting as gatekeeper to the system and being the main point of contact with the patient, it will also determine local commissioning priorities.…”