Reproductive health and healthcare among sex workers in Escuintla, Guatemala.
This study examines understandings of sexual and reproductive health and healthcare, and perceptions of health services among women who regularly or occasionally sell or transact sex in Escuintla, Guatemala. Using an approach informed by grounded theory, 35 individual interviews were analysed. Results suggest that sex workers face multiple forms of vulnerability due to their level of education, economic situation and unequal gender relations. Many feel dissatisfied with the quality of health services received, specifically with the lack of medicines, poor personal treatment by health workers and scanty information. Condoms were widely acknowledged as the means of preventing STI/HIV; however, many of the women do not use them with regular clients and regular partners. An effective STI/HIV-prevention strategy that addresses sex workers' circumstances and needs, requires a comprehensive approach, which includes a combination of individual and community-based interventions. These interventions must involve clients, sex establishment owners and health personnel.
Fundacio SIDA i Societat, Barcelona, Spain.
Carmen
C
Porras
Meritxell
M
Sabidó
Percy
P
Fernández-Dávila
Victor Hugo
VH
Fernández
Anabela
A
Batres
Jordi
J
Casabona
D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006166:Guatemala; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology*