HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Utilisation of sexual health services by female sex workers in Nepal.

AbstractBACKGROUND:
The Nepal Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) in 2006 showed that more than half (56%) of the women with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, in Nepal sought sexual health services. There is no such data for female sex workers (FSWs) and the limited studies on this group suggest they do not even use routine health services. This study explores FSWs use of sexual health services and the factors associated with their use and non-use of services.
METHODS:
This study aimed to explore the factors associated with utilisation of sexual health services by FSWs in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, and it used a mixed-method approach consisting of an interviewer administered questionnaire-based survey and in-depth interviews.
RESULTS:
The questionnaire survey, completed with 425 FSWs, showed that 90% FSWs self-reported sickness, and (30.8%) reported symptoms of STIs. A quarter (25%) of those reporting STIs had never visited any health facilities especially for sexual health services preferring to use non-governmental clinics (72%), private clinics (50%), hospital (27%) and health centres (13%). Multiple regression analysis showed that separated, married and street- based FSWs were more likely to seek health services from the clinics or hospitals. In- depth interviews with 15 FSWs revealed that FSWs perceived that personal, structural and socio-cultural barriers, such as inappropriate clinic opening hours, discrimination, the judgemental attitude of the service providers, lack of confidentiality, fear of public exposure, and higher fees for the services as barriers to their access and utilisation of sexual health services.
CONCLUSION:
FSWs have limited access to information and to health services, and operate under personal, structural and socio-cultural constraints. The 'education' to change individual behaviour, health worker and community perceptions, as well as the training of the health workers, is necessary.
AuthorsLaxmi Ghimire, W Cairns S Smith, Edwin R van Teijlingen
JournalBMC health services research (BMC Health Serv Res) Vol. 11 Pg. 79 (Apr 18 2011) ISSN: 1472-6963 [Electronic] England
PMID21501473 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Topics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nepal (epidemiology)
  • Organizations
  • Prejudice
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Work (psychology, statistics & numerical data)
  • Sexuality (psychology, statistics & numerical data)
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (epidemiology, prevention & control, psychology)
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Women's Health
  • Young Adult

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: