Can a targeted GP-led clinic improve outcomes for street sex workers who use heroin?
Female street sex workers in the UK are often addicted to heroin, and sex work may be a result of the economic drive to fund this addiction. This study looks at outcomes of a primary care drugs treatment intervention for street sex workers who use heroin, using prescribed maintenance treatment with intensive health and psychosocial support. Thirty-four sex workers entered the study and 100% were retained in the study at 1 year. After 1 year, only 33% of participants were still sex workers. Quality of life had improved significantly and heroin use had reduced.
Litchfield
Jane
J
Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Derby.
Maronge
Andrew
A
Rigg
Tim
T
Rees
Benjamin
B
Harshey
Ravi
R
Keen
Jenny
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011477:Sex Work; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult