Sexually transmissible infections among sex workers and their clients: variation in prevalence between sectors of the industry

Charrlotte Seib; Joseph Debattista; Jane Fischer; Michael Dunne; Jackob M. Najman

doi:10.1071/SH08038

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Sexually transmissible infections among sex workers and their clients: variation in prevalence between sectors of the industry

Charrlotte Seib ^A ^F , Joseph Debattista ^B , Jane Fischer ^C , Michael Dunne ^D and Jackob M. Najman ^E

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld 4059, Australia.

^B Sexual Health, HIV and HCV Coordinator, Northside Health Service District, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.

^C Centre for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Statewide Services Program, Alcohol and Drug Service, Northside Health Service District, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.

^D School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld 4059, Australia.

^E Schools of Social Science and Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4059, Australia.

^F Corresponding author. Email: c.seib@qut.edu.au

Sexual Health 6(1) 45-50 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH08038
Submitted: 29 May 2008 Accepted: 6 October 2008 Published: 23 February 2009

Abstract

Objectives: The risk of sexually transmissible infection (STI) among sex workers and their clients may be higher than the general population. However, many studies have categorised workers or clients into homogenous groups for the purposes of analysis. The aim of the present study was to assess variations in self-reported STI rates among licenced brothel, private and illegal sex workers and their clients. Methods: In 2003, self-report data were collected from female sex workers and their male commercial clients residing in the state of Queensland, Australia. Overall, 247 sex workers (aged 19–57 years) and 185 of their respective clients (aged between 19 and 72 years) completed anonymous questionnaires. Results: There was little variation in self-reported lifetime STI prevalence of licenced brothel, private and illegal (predominantly street-based) sex workers, although licenced brothel workers were less likely to report ever being diagnosed with gonorrhoea or pubic lice in the past (P = 0.035 and 0.004 respectively). In contrast, clients accessing illegal services reported higher lifetime STI (36.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 20.2–55.6) than men recruited through private sex workers (20.0%, 95% CI 11.4–32.5) and clients from licenced brothels (7.6%, 95% CI 3.7–14.5). Conclusions: This study found high self-reported lifetime prevalence of infection among sex workers and their clients. It is notable, however, that lower STI rates were reported by clients and sex workers from licenced brothels. This would suggest that risk of infection is not equivalent across industry sectors and highlights some of the inherent risks associated with generalisation across the sex industry.

Additional keywords: commercial clients, legislation, sex industry, sex workers.

Acknowledgements

Funding for the 2003 study was provided by the Prostitution Licensing Authority. Acknowledgement and sincere thanks to the men and women who participated in this study.

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Sexually transmissible infections among sex workers and their clients: variation in prevalence between sectors of the industry

Abstract

Acknowledgements

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