Uptake of a women‐only, sex‐work‐specific drop‐in center and links with sexual and reproductive health care for sex workers

Abstract

Objective To longitudinally examine female sex workers’ (FSWs’) uptake of a women-only, sex-work-specific drop-in service and its impact on their access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Methods For the present longitudinal analysis, data were drawn from the AESHA (An Evaluation of Sex Workers’ Health Access) study, a community-based, open, prospective cohort of FSWs from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Data obtained between January 2010 and February 2013 were analyzed. Participants are followed up on a semi-annual basis. Multivariable logistic regression using generalized estimating equations was used to identify correlates of service uptake. Results Of 547 FSWs included in the present analysis, 330 (60.3%) utilized the services during the 3-year study period. Service use was independently associated with age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.06), Aboriginal ancestry (AOR 2.18; 95% CI 1.61–2.95), injection drug use (AOR 1.67; 95% CI 1.29–2.17), exchange of sex for drugs (AOR 1.40; 95%CI 1.15–1.71), and accessing SRH services (AOR 1.65; 95% CI 1.35–2.02). Conclusion A sex-work-specific drop-in space for marginalized FSWs had high uptake. Women-centered and low-threshold drop-in services can effectively link marginalized women with SRH services.

Sexual and reproductive health behaviors of female sex workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…The effective contribution of DICs to provide SRH services to vulnerable populations such as FSWs has been noted in other studies in Laos and Canada [40,42]. Another study in Mysore, India documented an increase in care seeking from DICs from 56% at baseline to 89.6% at follow up (more than two years after baseline) and was significantly associated with improvements in condom use and reducing STIs [43].…”

Food Insecurity Increases HIV Risk Among Young Sex Workers in Metro Vancouver, Canada

“…The occasional women-/youth-/sexual minority-centered programming may have exclusive hours (e.g., women-only hours; youth-only hours) or locations for members where people feel safer, free from harassment, and the fear of encountering abuse from former partners or people with discriminatory beliefs. Research in this population supports the effectiveness of women-only spaces [48]. Many services are general and open to everyone, but this approach can paradoxically exclude individuals who are more vulnerable to food insecurity because safety from abuse and discrimination in a public environment is not guaranteed [38].…”

Recent im/migration to Canada linked to unmet health needs among sex workers in Vancouver, Canada: Findings of a longitudinal study

“…Jeal & Salisbury, 2007; Scorgie et al, 2013; Socías et al, 2015). Canadian researchers have also suggested that SWs have inadequate access to sexual and reproductive health services and cervical screening (Kim et al, 2015). As many of these unmet health needs are persistent in settings where high-quality health care is available and contact with general practitioners is frequently reported in the general population (Nikki Jeal & Salisbury, 2004; N.…”