This study sought to understand the needs of sex workers i. Forty-three women 33 cis-female i. Interviews were then transcribed and coded. Individuals expressed a need for counseling and a supportive community on the streets and during transition. The evidence form this study demonstrated that there is a great need for non-judgmental health services for this population.
Because it remains highly stigmatized and misunderstood, sex workers are a highly neglected population. Reaching marginalized populations, like sex workers, can help improve the understanding of the nature of urban American health and the barriers that still exist. Much research on sex work focuses too narrowly on sex itself in relation to health rather than the socio-economic context of the working environment.
This research seeks to understand the reality of the sex worker experience and the social determinants of health that influence wellness and barriers to treatment.
This study seeks to understand these barriers and present potential alternatives. Drug and alcohol use has also been found to be more prevalent in sex workers than in the general population Valera, Drug addiction poses a risk for other health problems as well, such as HIV infection or general health problems due to lack of hygiene Murphy, Homelessness and other socio-economic factors pose a barrier to reaching drug-addicted populations.
Creating structural solutions to reach these populations can help combat HIV and STI infection as well as improving health outcomes among sex workers. Violence against sex workers is a third significant public health concern. Preventing gender-based violence is a WHO health priority in working environments, including sex work and increasing research suggest support groups to address this issue WHO, This dissonance has been unexplored in research and this study seeks to allow sex workers to identify their needs and the barriers to attaining these needs.
