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The health of female sex workers from three industry sectors in Queensland, Australia

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  • Seib, Charrlotte
  • Fischer, Jane
  • Najman, Jackob M.

Abstract

Previous studies have reported poor mental health amongst sex workers without distinguishing the context in which commercial sex is provided. This study describes the self-reported mental and physical health of female sex workers in three industry sectors in Queensland, Australia. In 2003, cross-sectional convenience sampling was used to collect data from 247 female sex workers working in licensed brothels (n = 102), as private sole operators (n = 103) and illegally (n = 42). The average age was 32 years (range 18-57), with most participants being born either in Australia or New Zealand. Overall, there were few differences in the physical health of women from different industry sectors. Illegal (and predominantly street-based) sex workers were four times more likely to report poor mental health with some of this difference attributable to the particular social background of this group. Much of the increased levels of poor mental health among illegal sex workers were associated with more negative experiences before, and subsequent to entering the sex industry. These patterns were not seen among women from the legal industry sectors. This research suggests that illegal, street-based sex workers, from whom many previous results have been derived, may show patterns of disadvantage, and health outcomes not seen in sex workers from other industry sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Seib, Charrlotte & Fischer, Jane & Najman, Jackob M., 2009. "The health of female sex workers from three industry sectors in Queensland, Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(3), pages 473-478, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:68:y:2009:i:3:p:473-478
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Huan Zeng & Yong Zhao & Siying Meng & Xiaojun Tang & Hang Guo & Yang Wang & Lei Zhang, 2015. "Exploring HIV Prevention Strategies among Street-Based Female Sex Workers in Chongqing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Fairleigh Evelyn Gilmour, 2016. "Work Conditions and Job Mobility in the Australian Indoor Sex Industry," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 21(4), pages 147-158, November.
    3. Abel Brodeur & Warn N Lekfuangfu & Yanos Zylberberg, 2018. "War, Migration and the Origins of the Thai Sex Industry," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 16(5), pages 1540-1576.
    4. Navin Kumar & John Scott & Victor Minichiello, 2017. "Masculinity and the Occupational Experience of Male Independent Escorts Who Seek Male Clients," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-14, June.
    5. Turner, Caitlin M. & Arayasirikul, Sean & Wilson, Erin C., 2021. "Disparities in HIV-related risk and socio-economic outcomes among trans women in the sex trade and effects of a targeted, anti-sex-trafficking policy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    6. Jessica McCann & Gemma Crawford & Jonathan Hallett, 2021. "Sex Worker Health Outcomes in High-Income Countries of Varied Regulatory Environments: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-16, April.
    7. Treloar, Carla & Stardust, Zahra & Cama, Elena & Kim, Jules, 2021. "Rethinking the relationship between sex work, mental health and stigma: a qualitative study of sex workers in Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    8. Ghouri, Arsalan Mujahid & Akhtar, Pervaiz & Haq, Mirza A. & Mani, Venkatesh & Arsenyan, Gayane & Meyer, Martin, 2021. "Real-time information sharing, customer orientation, and the exploration of intra-service industry differences: Malaysia as an emerging market," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).

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