Kakar Sheena Rajesh, Biggs Karen, Chung Charles, Sawleshwarkar Shailendra, Mindel Adrian, Lagios Katerina, Hillman Richard J
Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Centre and The University of Sydney, Marian Villa, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
Sex Health. 2010 Mar;7(1):3-7. doi: 10.1071/SH09031.
Sex workers (SWs) are globally recognised to be at high risk for the acquisition and transmission of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). There is a paucity of published data concerning SWs from the western suburbs of Sydney, with the last published study conducted in 1988. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the demographics, sexual practices and health care needs of SWs attending Sexual Health Clinics (SHCs) in the region.
Self-identified SWs presenting to SHCs in western Sydney between April 2007 and March 2008 were identified using clinic databases. A case note review was then undertaken.
One hundred and eighty-five female SWs were included in the analysis. Ninety-eight (54.5%) were born overseas (predominantly China) and 82 (45.6%) were born in Australia. One hundred and seventeen (68%) were English speaking backgrounds (ESB), while 55 (32%) were from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB). Seventy-two (38.9%) were symptomatic on attendance, with vaginal discharge the most common symptom. Chlamydia was the most commonly reported STI in the previous 12 months with 28 cases (15.1%). SWs from NESB were significantly more likely to be older, symptomatic, have a hepatitis B diagnosis in the previous year and work more shifts per week, compared with SWs from ESB. SWs born overseas were more likely to be symptomatic than Australian born SWs who, in turn, were more likely to have a hepatitis C diagnosis in the previous year.
SWs from NESB would potentially benefit from evidenced-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions and targeted health promotion.
性工作者被全球公认为是性传播感染（STIs）获得和传播的高危人群。关于悉尼西郊性工作者的已发表数据匮乏，上一次发表的研究是在1988年进行的。因此，我们开展了一项研究，以确定该地区前往性健康诊所（SHCs）的性工作者的人口统计学特征、性行为和医疗保健需求。
利用诊所数据库识别出2007年4月至2008年3月期间前往悉尼西部性健康诊所的自我认定的性工作者。然后进行病历回顾。
185名女性性工作者纳入分析。98名（54.5%）出生在海外（主要是中国），82名（45.6%）出生在澳大利亚。117名（68%）有英语背景（ESB），而55名（32%）来自非英语背景（NESB）。72名（38.9%）就诊时出现症状，阴道分泌物是最常见的症状。衣原体是过去12个月中报告最多的性传播感染，有28例（15.1%）。与有英语背景的性工作者相比，来自非英语背景的性工作者年龄更大、有症状、上一年被诊断为乙型肝炎且每周工作轮班更多的可能性显著更高。出生在海外的性工作者比出生在澳大利亚的性工作者更易出现症状，而出生在澳大利亚的性工作者上一年被诊断为丙型肝炎的可能性更大。
来自非英语背景的性工作者可能会从基于证据、文化和语言适宜的干预措施以及有针对性的健康促进中受益。
