Sexually Transmitted Infections Among UK Street-Based Sex Workers

The authors conducted an observational study of street-based sex workers who attended a London genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic between July 1, 2006, and Jan. 31, 2007. In July 2006, a local outreach project developed a weekly drop-in for street-based sex workers. From there, participants were fast-tracked to the GUM clinic and other dedicated health services.

The outreach team made contact with 120 street-based sex workers: 40 attended the drop-in, and 25 attended the GUM clinic. Participants reported frequent recreational drug use, unprotected sex with clients, and no reliable contraception. Eight women had TB; seven were pregnant; six were HIV-positive; and 12 had positive syphilis serology. Seventeen STD infections were also identified.

The project documented a high frequency of HIV, syphilis, other bacterial STDs and unwanted pregnancy among the participants. "There were considerable amounts of other physical ill health in this group, with frequently reported risky sexual behavior," the researchers concluded. "This study demonstrates the need for targeted development work to meet the multifactorial needs of these women."

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