Title | The influence of stigma and discrimination on female sex workers' access to HIV services in St. Petersburg, Russia. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2013 |
Authors | King, Elizabeth J., Suzanne Maman, Michael J. Bowling, Kathryn E. Moracco, and Viktoria Dudina |
Journal | AIDS and behavior |
Volume | 17 |
Issue | 8 |
Pagination | 2597-603 |
Date Published | 2013 Oct |
ISSN | 1573-3254 |
Keywords | Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Status Disparities, HIV Seropositivity, Humans, Prejudice, Prostitution, Questionnaires, Risk-Taking, Russia, Sex Workers, Sexual Behavior, Social Perception, Social Stigma |
Abstract | Stigma associated with HIV and risk behaviors is known to be a barrier to health care access for many populations. Less is known about female sex workers (FSW) in Russia, a population that is especially vulnerable to HIV-infection, and yet hard-to-reach for service providers. We administered a questionnaire to 139 FSW to better understand how stigma and discrimination influence HIV service utilization. Logistic regression analysis indicated that HIV-related stigma is negatively associated with uptake of HIV testing, while sex work-related stigma is positively associated with HIV testing. HIV-positive FSW are more likely than HIV-negative FSW to experience discrimination in health care settings. While decreasing societal stigma should be a long-term goal, programs that foster inclusion of marginalized populations in Russian health care settings are urgently needed. |
DOI | 10.1007/s10461-013-0447-7 |
Alternate Journal | AIDS Behav |