Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 7-17

Migration status, work conditions and health utilization of female sex workers in three South African Cities (Article) (Open Access)

Richter M.* , Chersich M.F. , Vearey J. , Sartorius B. , Temmerman M. , Luchters S.
  • a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, African Centre for Migration and Society, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • c African Centre for Migration and Society, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • d School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • e Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
  • f Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Centre for International Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Intersections between migration and sex work are underexplored in southern Africa, a region with high internal and cross-border population mobility, and HIV prevalence. Sex work often constitutes an important livelihood activity for migrant women. In 2010, sex workers trained as interviewers conducted cross-sectional surveys with 1,653 female sex workers in Johannesburg (Hillbrow and Sandton), Rustenburg and Cape Town. Most (85.3 %) sex workers were migrants (1396/1636): 39.0 % (638/1636) internal and 46.3 % (758/1636) cross-border. Cross-border migrants had higher education levels, predominately worked part-time, mainly at indoor venues, and earned more per client than other groups. They, however, had 41 % lower health service contact (adjusted odds ratio = 0.59; 95 % confidence interval = 0.40-0.86) and less frequent condom use than non-migrants. Police interaction was similar. Cross-border migrants appear more tenacious in certain aspects of sex work, but require increased health service contact. Migrant-sensitive, sex work-specific health care and health education are needed. © 2012 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Sex work Condoms South Africa Migration status Health care utilization

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population multicenter study clinical trial demography human epidemiology Health Behavior statistics and numerical data health service ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies South Africa cross-sectional study Humans female risk factor Risk Factors Zimbabwe prostitution health services adult migration utilization Sex Workers Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84895049528&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-012-9758-4&partnerID=40&md5=651799ec65d9ce6d54518239f9fd7e5a
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-012-9758-4
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 37
Original Language: English