The Many Faces of Sex Work

Overview

Journal Sex Transm Infect

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2005 Jun 1

PMID 15923285

Citations 102

Authors

C Harcourt

B Donovan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To compile a global typography of commercial sex work.

Methods: A Medline search and review of 681 "prostitution" articles was conducted. In addition, the investigators pooled their 20 years of collected papers and monographs, and their observations in more than 15 countries. Arbitrary categories were developed to compile a workable typology of sex work.

Results: At least 25 types of sex work were identified according to worksite, principal mode of soliciting clients, or sexual practices. These types of work are often grouped under the headings of "direct" and "indirect" prostitution, with the latter group less likely to be perceived or to perceive themselves as sex workers. In general, policing sex work can change its typology and location but its prevalence is rarely affected. The public health implications of sex work vary widely.

Conclusion: Developing comprehensive sexual health promotion programmes requires a complete understanding of the types of sex work in a particular area. This study provides a checklist for developing appropriate and targeted programmes.

Citing Articles

Patterns of inconsistent condom use and risky sexual behaviors among female sex workers in Mozambique.

Muleia R, Banze A, Damiao S, Sema Baltazar C BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):2711.

PMID: 39367332 PMC: 11453092. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-20236-y.

Typologies of Sex Work Practice and Associations with the HIV Risk Environment and Risk Behaviors in Kazakhstan.

McCrimmon T, Mukherjee T, Norcini Pala A, Mergenova G, Terlikbayeva A, Primbetova S AIDS Behav. 2024; 28(11):3549-3558.

PMID: 39039398 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04443-7.

Attitudes Toward Cisgender Women's Participation in Sex Work: Opportunity for Agency or Harmful Exchange?.

Puffer H, Hodson G, Prusaczyk E Arch Sex Behav. 2024; 53(3):1169-1185.

PMID: 38285296 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02797-y.

Changes in context, typology and programme outcomes between early and recent periods of sex work among young female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya: A cross-sectional study.

Bhattacharjee P, Isac S, Musyoki H, Gichangi P, Ma H, Becker M PLoS One. 2023; 18(7):e0288717.

PMID: 37490512 PMC: 10368250. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288717.

Motivation of sex workers who provide camming services to engage in sex with their real-life and virtual partners.

Kelberga Kelberg A, Martinsone B Front Psychol. 2023; 14:1173902.

PMID: 37469897 PMC: 10352917. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1173902.

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