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. 2022 Sep 1;19(17):10885.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph191710885.

Attention to Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health at the Street Outreach Office

Nayara Gonçalves Barbosa  1 , Thaís Massita Hasimoto  2 , Thamíris Martins Michelon  2 , Lise Maria Carvalho Mendes  3 , Gustavo Gonçalves Dos Santos  3 , Juliana Cristina Dos Santos Monteiro  4 , Flávia Azevedo Gomes-Sponholz  4
Affiliations

Attention to Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health at the Street Outreach Office

Nayara Gonçalves Barbosa et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The aim of study was to understand care strategies for homeless women, focusing on aspects of sexual and reproductive health from the perspective of Street Outreach Office strategy professionals. This is a qualitative study carried out in a large city in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected from December 2020 to April 2021 through semi-structured interviews, and the results were obtained through content analysis and thematic modality. Nine health professionals participated in this study, and the analysis of the interviews allowed identifying three thematic categories: (i) being female and sex on the streets (violence and oppression); (ii) gynecology as a gateway to comprehensive care for homeless women; and (iii) pregnancy, puerperium and motherhood in the context of the streets. This study contributes to the reflection of professional practices within the Street Outreach Office, allowing the understanding of challenges in assisting homeless women, aiming to raise awareness of professionals and services that make up the health care network.

Keywords: gender inequity; health inequity; homeless women; sexual and reproductive health; women’s health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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