Silent suffering: The unmet sexual health needs of male sex workers

Turner, Kevin; Meyrick, Jane; Wood, Matthew

Abstract

Introduction:
The health and wellbeing need of Male Sex Workers (MSWs) are largely informed by misconceptions of sexual labour that drive physical health interventions to focus on perceived needs around sexual health and wellbeing. Findings from this qualitative study aim to surface the actual needs of MSWs based on their lived experiences to improve offers of support from sexual health services.

Methods:
Informed by a lived experience advisory group, semi-structured, online interviews lasting 60-90 minutes were undertaken throughout 2023. 14 men aged 18 or over, who were based in the United Kingdom, with current or prior engagement in the sex industry, took part in interviews which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results:
The theme ‘Silent Suffering’ highlighted how misunderstandings about ‘sex working men’ lead to their sexual health needs being unmet. Across interviews men spoke about a lack of recognition with traditional sex worker terminology often used by sexual health clinics in attempts to ‘reach them’. An industry requirement for proof of regular testing meant that local sexual health clinics were an ideal destination to support the sexual health and wellbeing of MSWs. However, an inability to provide expedited test results in the form of ‘certificates’ and a lack of cultural competency led MSWs to attend a single London-based clinic. Use of certificates impacted on how MSWs navigated risk and subsequent buy in to biomedical interventions such as HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Discussion:
Insights from these men’s lived experience highlight a need for increased cultural competence to support MSW engagement within sexual health services. Such competencies include embracing new language that reflects both the modernisation of sex work and the people engaged within it, in addition to an improved understanding of industry requirements to help ensure that their health and wellbeing remains suitably safeguarded.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: British Association of Sexual Health & HIV (BASHH) 2024 Annual Conference
• Acceptance Date: Apr 22, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jun 17, 2024
• Publication Date: Jun 17, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 28, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 10, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of STD & AIDS
• Print ISSN: 0956-4624
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 1S
• Pages: 25
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09564624241254949
• Keywords: Male Sex Work
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12087931