Barriers to comprehensive care for women who engage in sex work

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v30i0.96291pt

Keywords:

Sex Workers, Social Vulnerability, Health Vulnerability, Integrality in Health, Stereotyping

Abstract

Objective: Identify barriers to comprehensive care for women who engage in sex work in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Method: Qualitative study conducted with seven sex workers from October to December 2023. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and submitted to content analysis, according to the framework proposed by Bardin.

Results: Social inequality, the context of violence in which these women live, the stigma and prejudice surrounding sex work, and the lack of training among health professionals are factors that act as significant barriers to these women's access to health care and comprehensive care.

Conclusion: Strategies for training health professionals and implementing public policies to mitigate the social vulnerability of female sex workers are necessary.

Author Biographies

Victoria Cardoso Alves, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais

Undergraduate student of Medicine. Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Raíssa Stephanie Rodrigues da Silva, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais

Physician. Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Samyra Giarola Cecílio, Centro Universitário Presidente Tancredo de Almeida Neves, São João Del Rei, MG, Brasil

Biochemical pharmacist. PhD in Neuronal Bioengineering. Professor at the President Tancredo de Almeida Neves University Center, São João del-Rei, MG, Brazil.

Rafaela Siqueira Costa Schreck, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Elen Cristiane Gandra, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Sumaya Giarola Cecilio, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Enfermera. Doctora en Enfermería. Profesora de la Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.

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Published

2025-07-18

How to Cite

Alves, V. C., da Silva, R. S. R., Cecílio, S. G., Schreck, R. S. C., Gandra, E. C., & Cecilio, S. G. (2025). Barriers to comprehensive care for women who engage in sex work . Cogitare Enfermagem, 30. https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v30i0.96291pt

Issue

Vol. 30 (2025)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Victoria Cardoso Alves, Raíssa Stephanie Rodrigues da Silva, Samyra Giarola Cecilio, Rafaela Siqueira Costa Schreck, Elen Cristiane Gandra, Sumaya Giarola Cecilio

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