The mental and physical health of female sex workers: a comparative study

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the mental and physi cal health, adult abuse experiences and social networks of female sex worke rs with data previously collected from two large community samples of age-m atched women. Method: A convenience sample of sex workers were interviewed and completed two well-established questionnaires, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ- 28) and the Intimate Bond Measure (IBM). Sex workers were invited to reflec t on their experiences of their work. Results: There were no differences in mental health on the GHQ-28 or in sel f-esteem (measured by an item on the Present State Examination) between the two groups. Neither were there any differences in their assessment of thei r physical health or the quality of their social networks. Sex workers were less likely to be married and had been exposed to more adult physical and sexual abuse than the comparison group. They were more likely to smoke and to drink heavily when they drank. One-third said that their general practit ioner was not aware of their work. A subgroup not working with regular clie nts or in a massage parlour had higher GHQ-28 scores and may be an at-risk group. Narrative information about the work, particularly its intermittent nature, is presented. Conclusions: No evidence was found that sex work and increased adult psychi atric morbidity are inevitably associated, although there may be subgroups of workers with particular problems. The illegal and stigmatized nature of sex work are likely to make usual public health strategies more difficult t o apply, considerations which should give concern from a preventive health standpoint.