Identifying possible reasons why female street sex workers have poor drug treatment outcomes: a qualitative study.
To explore street sex workers (SSWs) views and experiences of drug treatment, in order to understand why this population tend to experience poor drug treatment outcomes.



In-depth interviews.



Bristol, UK.



24 current and exited SSWs with current or previous experience of problematic use of heroin and/or crack cocaine.



Participants described how feeling unable to discuss their sex work in drug treatment groups undermined their engagement in the treatment process. They outlined how disclosure of sex work resulted in stigma from male and female service users as well as adverse interactions with male service users. Participants highlighted that non-disclosure meant they could not discuss unresolved trauma issues which were common and which emerged or increased when they reduced their drug use. As trauma experiences had usually involved men as perpetrators participants said it was not appropriate to discuss them in mixed treatment groups. SSWs in recovery described how persistent trauma-related symptoms still affected their lives many years after stopping sex work and drug use. Participants suggested SSW-only services and female staff as essential to effective care and highlighted that recent service changes were resulting in loss of trusted staff and SSW-only treatment services. This was reported to be reducing the likelihood of SSWs engaging in drug services, with the resultant loss of continuity of care and reduced time with staff acting as barriers to an effective therapeutic relationship.



SSWs face many barriers to effective drug treatment. SSW-only treatment groups, continuity of care with treatment staff and contact with female staff, particularly individuals who have had similar lived experience, could improve the extent to which SSWs engage and benefit from drug treatment services. Service engagement and outcomes may also be improved by drug services that include identification and treatment of trauma-related symptoms.
Centre for Academic Primary Care School of Social & Community Medicine Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Nikki
N
Jeal
Centre for Academic Primary Care School of Social & Community Medicine Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
John
J
Macleod
Centre for Academic Primary Care School of Social & Community Medicine Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.|The National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West) University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
Chris
C
Salisbury
Centre for Academic Primary Care School of Social & Community Medicine Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.|The National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West) University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
Katrina
K
Turner
D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D006113:United Kingdom
D016578:Crack Cocaine
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; sex work