Sexually Transmitted Infections
Volume 87, Issue 5, 2011, Pages 377-384

Risk of sexually transmitted infections and violence among indoor-working female sex workers in London: The effect of migration from Eastern Europe (Article) (Open Access)

Platt L.* , Grenfell P. , Bonell C. , Creighton S. , Wellings K. , Parry J. , Rhodes T.
  • a Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • b Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • c Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • d Department of Sexual Health, Homerton University Hospital, London, United Kingdom
  • e Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • f Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom, Virus Reference Department, Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, London, United Kingdom
  • g Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Objectives: To examine risk factors associated with HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and experience of physical and sexual violence among sex workers in London, with a particular focus on differences in risk between migrants from Eastern Europe (EE) or the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and UK-born sex workers. Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of sex workers born in the UK, EE or FSU (n=268), collecting behavioural data, testing for antibodies to HIV and Treponema pallidum, and testing for infection with Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoea. Findings: Migrants were younger, saw more clients, and were less likely to use contraception; few reported being coerced into sex work. Overall, prevalence of HIV was 1.1% (95% CI -0.1% to 2.4%), prevalence of syphilis was 2.2% (95% CI 0.4 to 4.0%), and prevalence of infection with chlamydia or gonorrhoea was 6.4% (95% CI 3.2% to 9.6%). Risk factors associated with any infection included having no contact with an outreach worker, age, and having a non-paying sex partner. Increased risk of physical violence from clients was associated with a history of imprisonment or arrest and having a non-paying sex partner. Conclusion: Findings suggest an association between outreach services and reduced risk of STIs and between having non-paying partners and increased risk of STIs. Findings also suggest an association between enforcement policies, such as arrest or imprisonment, and drug use and increased risk of physical violence. Interventions are needed to expand outreach, improve uptake of contraceptives for migrants, and reduce levels of violence for all women.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Europe, Eastern HIV Infections sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection Neisseria gonorrhoeae Europe London human middle aged Sexual Partners violence priority journal female worker Unsafe Sex sexually transmitted disease Cross-Sectional Studies Sexually Transmitted Diseases Young Adult gonorrhea Humans female risk factor Risk Factors Behavior Contraception Syphilis prostitution prevalence Article adult migration sexual harassment infection risk Age Factors Treponema pallidum Patient Acceptance of Health Care Transients and Migrants Chlamydia Infections chlamydiasis Chlamydia trachomatis health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79960698015&doi=10.1136%2fsti.2011.049544&partnerID=40&md5=c22cb3419604af11b12cace7313116dc
DOI: 10.1136/sti.2011.049544
ISSN: 13684973
Cited by: 56
Original Language: English