 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Lyn Stankiewicz Murphy, MS, MBA, RN, Department of Clinical and External Affairs, University of Maryland, 655 West Lombard Street, Suite 404K, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-706-5474, LMurphy@son.umaryland.edu, Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, National Cancer Institute, 937 Jubal Way, Frederick, MD 21701, and Marla T. Oros, MS, RN, Department of Clinical and External Affairs, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard Street, Suite 404, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Although women are the primary consumers of today’s health services, access remains a major issue. For women engaged in prostitution, the barriers to healthcare are even larger. These women rarely seek out preventive health services due to the stigma attached to prostituting, and often neglect their health because of limited access to preventative health services. It is suggested that this group is most vulnerable due to high mobility, judgmental attitudes, and difficulty in finding health care. When the need for healthcare becomes a priority, their condition is usually well beyond that of preventive measures. Women engaged in prostitution are at an increased risk for STD, HIV and HCV, as well as health and mental health problems stemming from violence and abuse. Additionally, the “chaotic lifestyle” surrounding prostitution interferes with keeping appointments or following up on healthcare issues. In an attempt to facilitate access to care for women involved in prostitution, a strategic relationship was created between YANA (You Are Never Alone), an organization that reaches out to women engaged in prostitution, and Open Gates Health Center, a clinic that provides care to individuals and families who are uninsured, underinsured, or having difficulty accessing the traditional health care system. Efforts of the project have been focused on identifying the health-seeking behaviors of the women, educating health care providers about the variety of health care issues that affect this population, and utilizing creative methods to bring primary health care services to this medically underserved population.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Access and Services, Sex Workers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.