Stigmatizing and inaccessible: The perspectives of female sex workers on barriers to reproductive healthcare utilization - A scoping review

doi:10.1111/jan.16010

. 2024 Jun;80(6):2273-2289.

doi: 10.1111/jan.16010. Epub 2023 Dec 8.

Stigmatizing and inaccessible: The perspectives of female sex workers on barriers to reproductive healthcare utilization - A scoping review

Lior Birger¹, Einat Peled¹, Yael Benyamini¹

Affiliations

PMID: 38069507
DOI: 10.1111/jan.16010

Stigmatizing and inaccessible: The perspectives of female sex workers on barriers to reproductive healthcare utilization - A scoping review

Lior Birger et al. J Adv Nurs. 2024 Jun.

. 2024 Jun;80(6):2273-2289.

doi: 10.1111/jan.16010. Epub 2023 Dec 8.

Authors

Lior Birger¹, Einat Peled¹, Yael Benyamini¹

Affiliation

¹ The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

PMID: 38069507
DOI: 10.1111/jan.16010

Abstract

Aim: To systematically map the extent, range and nature of qualitative studies that explored female sex workers' own perspectives on barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare services.

Design: A scoping review of the literature utilizing Arksey and O'Malley's method.

Data sources/review methods: A search of the electronic databases MEDLINE/ PubMed, PsycNET, Sociological Abstracts, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, HeinOnline, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar was conducted for items published in English between 2001 and 2021.

Results: Twenty-one studies were included in the review, the majority of which were conducted in lower-middle-income countries. RHC themes studied were diverse, with a few more studies focusing on STI/HIV, contraceptive use and pregnancy than those focusing on childbirth and postnatal care. The findings indicate barriers in four main domains: socio-legal barriers, health services-related barriers, interpersonal barriers and personal history-related barriers. Stigma was a major multifaceted barrier.

Conclusion: Female sex workers experience exclusion in utilizing reproductive healthcare services globally. As such, healthcare services are advised to adopt a nonjudgemental approach, to enhance physical accessibility and to train nurses and other healthcare professionals on reproductive health needs of female sex workers. Finally, knowledge production processes on the RHC of FSW should adopt a holistic view of FSW, by exploring their needs and barriers related to childbirth and maternity care and by including the perspectives of FSW in high-income countries.

Impact: The review offered an in-depth understanding of female sex workers' own perspectives regarding needs and barriers in utilizing reproductive healthcare services. Findings indicated socio-legal barriers, health services-related barriers, interpersonal barriers and personal history-related barriers. The review could inform the training of nurses and other healthcare professionals in reproductive healthcare services globally. Researchers should adopt a holistic view of female sex workers, by exploring their family planning needs, including barriers related to childbirth, maternity and postpartum care.

Reporting method: We adhered to the EQUATOR guidelines PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation.

Keywords: qualitative; reproductive healthcare; scoping review; sex industry; sex trafficking; sex work.

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Reproductive healthcare utilization for women in the sex trade: a qualitative study.
Birger L, Benyamini Y, Goor Y, Sahar Z, Peled E. Birger L, et al. Isr J Health Policy Res. 2024 Sep 2;13(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s13584-024-00627-7. Isr J Health Policy Res. 2024. PMID: 39223622 Free PMC article.
Understanding the contexts in which female sex workers sell sex in Kampala, Uganda: a qualitative study.
Katumba KR, Haumba M, Mayanja Y, Machira YW, Gafos M, Quaife M, Seeley J, Greco G. Katumba KR, et al. BMC Womens Health. 2024 Jun 26;24(1):371. doi: 10.1186/s12905-024-03216-7. BMC Womens Health. 2024. PMID: 38918714 Free PMC article.

References

REFERENCES

1. Arksey, H., & O'Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616
1. Armstrong, S., & Greenbaum, V. J. (2019). Using survivors' voices to guide the identification and care of trafficked persons by U.S. health care professionals: A systematic review. Advanced emergency. Nursing Journal, 41(3), 244–260. https://doi.org/10.1097/TME.0000000000000257
1. Beckham, S. W., Shembilu, C. R., Brahmbhatt, H., Winch, P. J., Beyrer, C., & Kerrigan, D. L. (2015). Female sex workers' experiences with intended pregnancy and antenatal care services in southern Tanzania. Studies in Family Planning, 46(1), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1728‐4465.2015.00015.X
1. Benoit, C., Maurice, R., Abel, G., Smith, M., Jansson, M., Healey, P., & Magnuson, D. (2020). ‘I dodged the stigma bullet’: Canadian sex workers' situated responses to occupational stigma. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 22(1), 81–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2019.1576226
1. Benoit, C., Smith, M., Jansson, M., Magnus, S., Maurice, R., Flagg, J., & Reist, D. (2019). Canadian sex workers weigh the costs and benefits of disclosing their occupational status to health providers. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 16(3), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178‐018‐0339‐8

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[1] Arksey, H., & O'Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616

[2] Arksey, H., & O'Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616

[3] Armstrong, S., & Greenbaum, V. J. (2019). Using survivors' voices to guide the identification and care of trafficked persons by U.S. health care professionals: A systematic review. Advanced emergency. Nursing Journal, 41(3), 244–260. https://doi.org/10.1097/TME.0000000000000257

[4] Armstrong, S., & Greenbaum, V. J. (2019). Using survivors' voices to guide the identification and care of trafficked persons by U.S. health care professionals: A systematic review. Advanced emergency. Nursing Journal, 41(3), 244–260. https://doi.org/10.1097/TME.0000000000000257

[5] Beckham, S. W., Shembilu, C. R., Brahmbhatt, H., Winch, P. J., Beyrer, C., & Kerrigan, D. L. (2015). Female sex workers' experiences with intended pregnancy and antenatal care services in southern Tanzania. Studies in Family Planning, 46(1), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1728‐4465.2015.00015.X

[6] Beckham, S. W., Shembilu, C. R., Brahmbhatt, H., Winch, P. J., Beyrer, C., & Kerrigan, D. L. (2015). Female sex workers' experiences with intended pregnancy and antenatal care services in southern Tanzania. Studies in Family Planning, 46(1), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1728‐4465.2015.00015.X

[7] Benoit, C., Maurice, R., Abel, G., Smith, M., Jansson, M., Healey, P., & Magnuson, D. (2020). ‘I dodged the stigma bullet’: Canadian sex workers' situated responses to occupational stigma. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 22(1), 81–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2019.1576226

[8] Benoit, C., Maurice, R., Abel, G., Smith, M., Jansson, M., Healey, P., & Magnuson, D. (2020). ‘I dodged the stigma bullet’: Canadian sex workers' situated responses to occupational stigma. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 22(1), 81–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2019.1576226

[9] Benoit, C., Smith, M., Jansson, M., Magnus, S., Maurice, R., Flagg, J., & Reist, D. (2019). Canadian sex workers weigh the costs and benefits of disclosing their occupational status to health providers. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 16(3), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178‐018‐0339‐8

[10] Benoit, C., Smith, M., Jansson, M., Magnus, S., Maurice, R., Flagg, J., & Reist, D. (2019). Canadian sex workers weigh the costs and benefits of disclosing their occupational status to health providers. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 16(3), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178‐018‐0339‐8

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Stigmatizing and inaccessible: The perspectives of female sex workers on barriers to reproductive healthcare utilization - A scoping review

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Stigmatizing and inaccessible: The perspectives of female sex workers on barriers to reproductive healthcare utilization - A scoping review

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