XXX-essing support: Improving health and wellbeing for sex workers-a review of evidence

Turner, Kevin; Meyrick, Jane; Miller, Danny; Stopgate, Laura

Abstract

Purpose:
To establish the state of the evidence-base around psychosocial interventions that support sex worker wellbeing in order to inform policy and practice within a resource rich geographical context.

Background:
Interventions to support sex worker health and wellbeing are often restricted to and defined by issues around sexual health. However, the stigma and labour experienced in sex work places unique demands on the coping resources of sex workers and highlights additional psychosocial issues impacting on their wellbeing.

Methods:
Published and unpublished studies were identified through electronic databases, hand searching and contacting relevant organisations and experts in the field (n=19, 202). Studies were included if they were conducted in high income settings, evaluated the effect of a psychosocial intervention using validated psychological / wellbeing measures or qualitative evaluation (n= 10). The Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool and the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE) Quality Appraisal Tool appraised the quality of included studies.

Outcomes or impact:
Overall, there was very little evidence to make clear evidence-based recommendations. Despite methodological limitations, available evidence suggests that peer health initiatives improve wellbeing in female street-based sex workers, whilst Ecological Momentary Assessment through the use of diarising health behaviours on smart phones, increases self-esteem and behaviour change intentions. Future research should address the actual rather than perceived needs of sex workers and should represent the diversity of sex workers given that available evidence lacks generalisability beyond female street-based sex workers.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: Division of Health Psychology (DHP) 2022 Annual Conference
• Start Date: Jun 28, 2022
• End Date: Jun 29, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jun 28, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 1, 2024
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12087948