The streets are unhealthy

Prostitutes working on the streets have far more health problems than those working in massage parlours, according to a survey of sex workers in Bristol, UK. The survey also found serious gaps in the provision of health care fo all sex workers, providing greater ammunition for those pushing for legalisation of brothels.

Apparently the major factor driving poor health among street sex workers in drug abuse. Only four our of 71massage parlour workers used heroin compared with 60 out of 71 street workers. The picture was similar for crack cocaine and other injectable drugs.

The health problems seen in greater numbers in street worker include abscesses, deep vein thrombosis, chest infections and hepatitis B and C. They were also more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Parlour workers experienced half the amount of ill-health reported by street workers and were more likely to be screened regularly for sexually transmitted infections.