Sex workers’ experiences of access to healthcare in Flanders, Belgium
Datos Bibliográficos
| ID | 15098720 |
|---|---|
| Autores | Alessandra Boschi (0000-0002-6382-1944, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Tasha Brandt (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Roel Van Overmeire (0000-0003-3127-5683, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Johan Bilsen (0000-0001-8371-4612, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Lara Vesentini (0000-0002-4707-9380, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, autor de correspondencia) |
| Año | 2026 |
| Páginas | 1-13 |
| Fecha de publicación | 2026-03-05 |
| Peer Reviewed | Sí |
| Open Access | No |
| Tipo | ARTICLE |
| Revista | Culture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL) |
| Identificadores de la revista | ISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351 |
| Editorial | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13691058.2026.2636214 |
| PMID | 41782435 |
| OpenAlex | W7133709602 |
| Idioma | EN |
| Referencias citadas | 18 |
Previous research has established that sex workers have specific health needs and face significant obstacles in meeting them. This study explored the experiences of sex workers in Flanders regarding their access to healthcare and sought to identify key barriers and facilitators. Following Belgium's decriminalisation of sex work in 2022, the study also aimed to explore how this policy change was reflected in sex workers' experiences and perceptions of healthcare access. In-depth semi-structured interviews ( N = 10) were conducted with sex workers in Flanders: six women and four men aged between 24 and 64 years. Transcripts of interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: (1) specific health complaints; (2) the role of decriminalisation; (3) remaining barriers to healthcare access; and (4) support and resources for sex workers. Barriers to healthcare access included stigma and discrimination; lack of knowledge and trust in healthcare providers; long waiting times; and reluctance to disclose their occupation. Culturally sensitive training for healthcare providers, expanding the services of sex workers' organisations, and ensuring that future research examines the long-term impact of decriminalisation with diverse populations such as migrant sex workers, are recommended
Health care · Health professionals · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Qualitative research · Sex work · Sex workers · Stigma (botany · Thematic analysis · Global trade, sustainability, and social impact · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Sex work and related issues
Associations between sex work laws and sex workers’ health
The Socio-Ecological Model Approach to Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to the Accessing of Health Services by Sex Workers
Global epidemiology of HIV among female sex workers
Toward good practice in thematic analysis
Stigma as a Barrier to Mental Health Service Use Among Female Sex Workers in Switzerland
Sex workers as peer health advocates
Occupational stigma as a primary barrier to health care for street-based sex workers in Canada
Canadian Sex Workers Weigh the Costs and Benefits of Disclosing Their Occupational Status to Health Providers
Barriers to Cervical Screening Among Sex Workers in Vancouver
| Velocidad de citación | historical |
|---|---|
| Altamente citado | No |