International Journal for Equity in Health
Volume 15, Issue 1, 2016

Barriers to health service access among female migrant Ugandan sex workers in Guangzhou, China (Article) (Open Access)

Davis A. , Meyerson B.E. , Aghaulor B. , Brown K. , Watson A. , Muessig K.E. , Yang L. , Tucker J.D.*
  • a HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Division of Gender Sexuality and Health, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Unit 15, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, United States, UNC-Project China, 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, China
  • b Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, 1025 E 7th St., Bloomington, IN 47405, United States, Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, United States
  • c School of Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 321 S Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States
  • d Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
  • e UNC-Project China, 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, China
  • f Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7440, 306 Rosenau, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
  • g Guangdong Provincial STD Control Center, 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China
  • h UNC-Project China, 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, China, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 321 S Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States, Guangdong Provincial STD Control Center, 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China

Abstract

Background: Increased trade between China and Uganda has fueled trafficking of female Ugandans into China. These women may face challenges accessing health services. This study focused on examining barriers to health care access among female Ugandan sex workers in China. Methods: In 2014, we undertook in-depth interviews with 19 female Ugandan sex workers in Guangzhou, China. Interviews focused on barriers to health service access and were analyzed using an a priori coding framework followed by open-coding to capture emergent themes. Results: Out of 19 women, 12 women reported a history of being trafficked into China. None of the women had a valid Chinese visa. Fear of being arrested for lack of documentation discouraged women in this sample from accessing hospital services. Low pay, housing exploitation, and remittances contributed to participants' lack of financial resources, which further inhibited their ability to access health services. Participants expressed feeling social isolation from the local community and reported mistrust of local individuals and organizations, including hospitals. Conclusion: Ugandan sex workers in China faced substantial structural barriers that limited health service access. Policy changes and the development of new programs are urgently needed to ensure these women have improved access to health services. © 2016 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Health care access China Migrants Uganda Female sex workers

Index Keywords

China questionnaire survey human epidemiology social isolation community health service priority journal gender issue ethnology sex worker Uganda interview Humans migrant psychology Interviews as Topic female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics Guangdong health services Article Ugandan trafficking adult migration health care access Sex Workers Health Policy hospital Transients and Migrants Guangzhou Health Services Accessibility womens health documentation health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84992437283&doi=10.1186%2fs12939-016-0453-2&partnerID=40&md5=75d670bb77f3b9cbd7b31ee3e817a7f6
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-016-0453-2
ISSN: 14759276
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English