Patterns of health care utilization and health behaviors among street sex workers in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the current use of health services by the street-based female sex workers (FSWs) and to explore beliefs behind these health behaviors.


METHODS
Community outreach approach in a few red-light districts in Hong Kong.


METHODS
A 30 min face-to-face interview was carried out in 89 women by direct approach and snowballing, followed by a focus group discussion drawn from the participants of the questionnaire.


RESULTS
While these FSWs' perception of personal health was good, a considerable proportion suffered from illnesses but the consultation rate was a third of the mean rate of the general population in Hong Kong. Many street workers experienced difficulty in utilizing health service in Hong Kong and even when they did, it was mainly for acute problems. Affordable access to health public services was excluded and many found private services unaffordable due to the high price charged by the practitioners. It was common for these women to self-medicate, delay in seeking medical help, or travel back to China for treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The current empirical understanding of the health and health service utilization by sex workers is unbalanced. In order to reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV among the street sex workers, it is essential to address the fundamental issue of health care access.
Wong
William C W
WC
Department of Community and Family Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 408, School of Public Health, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. cwwong@cuhk.edu.hk
Sister Ann Gray
Ling
Davina C
DC
Holroyd
Eleanor A
EA
D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D011477:Sex Work / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012934:Social Isolation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology