Health needs and service use of parlour-based prostitutes compared with street-based prostitutes: a cross-sectional survey.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the health needs of prostitutes (sex workers) working in massage parlours with that of those working on the streets.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Inner city, UK.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.
Jeal
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N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. jealnt@cf.ac.uk
Salisbury
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014686:Venereology / Q000379:methods