University of Melbourne, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Hospital, Victoria.
Aust N Z J Public Health. 2010 Feb;34(1):67-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2010.00476.x.
To estimate the number of unlicensed brothels operating in Melbourne, Australia, and the sexual health of the women working in them.
Advertisements from Melbourne newspapers published in July 2006 were systematically analysed based on the language used to identify premises likely to be unlicensed brothels. A visit was made to each of the businesses where an address was available. Participating sex workers were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis using self-collected tampons and polymerase chain reaction.
There were 438 advertisements collated, representing 174 separate establishments. Of these, 78 were not considered likely to be brothels. Of the remaining 96, addresses were available for 42 and all of these premises were visited. Thirteen were confirmed as unlicensed brothels. We estimate there were between 13 and 70 unlicensed brothels in Melbourne. Twenty-three women were recruited from four brothels. Only 56% (95% confidence interval (CI) 35-77%) reported having regular sexual health checks and only 13% (95%CI 3-36%) reported prior testing for HIV. Among the 22 women tested, one had chlamydia while another had gonorrhoea, a prevalence of 4.5% (95%CI: 2.3-20.4%) for each infection.
The number of unlicensed brothels in Melbourne is much smaller than is generally believed. Women in the sector are infrequently tested for STIs.
As long as a licensing system persists, promotion of sexual health among women in this sector is likely to face hurdles. Further research is needed into the best model for regulating or not regulating sex industries.
估计在澳大利亚墨尔本运营的无证妓院数量以及在这些妓院工作的女性的性健康状况。
根据识别可能无证妓院的语言，对 2006 年 7 月墨尔本报纸上的广告进行系统分析。对每个有地址的企业进行访问。使用自我收集的棉塞和聚合酶链反应对参与的性工作者进行淋病奈瑟菌、沙眼衣原体、生殖支原体和阴道毛滴虫的检测。
共收集了 438 个广告，代表 174 个独立的机构。其中 78 个被认为不是妓院。在剩下的 96 个中，有 42 个地址可用，所有这些地点都进行了访问。其中 13 个被证实为无证妓院。我们估计墨尔本有 13 到 70 家无证妓院。从 4 家妓院招募了 23 名女性。只有 56%（95%置信区间 35-77%）的人报告定期进行性健康检查，只有 13%（95%置信区间 3-36%）的人报告之前进行过 HIV 检测。在 22 名接受检测的女性中，有 1 人患有衣原体感染，另有 1 人患有淋病，每一种感染的患病率为 4.5%（95%置信区间 2.3-20.4%）。
墨尔本无证妓院的数量远远低于普遍认为的数量。该领域的女性很少接受性传播感染检测。
只要存在许可制度，就可能会在这个领域推广女性性健康方面面临障碍。需要进一步研究监管或不监管性产业的最佳模式。
