Street Level Prostitution: A Systematic Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Research
• Sociology

Background:

• Female street-level sex workers experience elevated risks for HIV/STIs, physical and mental health issues, and violence.
• There is a notable lack of research focusing on the resilience and coping mechanisms of this population.
• Existing literature highlights significant health disparities among street-level sex workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize existing research on female street-level sex workers.
• To inform mental health practice and identify future research priorities.
• To understand the health challenges and resilience factors in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of research reports from Westernized countries.
• Data collection focused on studies published between 2000 and 2014.
• Analysis of literature concerning female street-level sex workers' health and well-being.

Main Results:

• Street-level sex workers face severe health disparities, including high rates of HIV/STIs and mental health problems.
• Despite risks, consistent healthcare seeking behavior is low among these women.
• Research on resilience and coping skills among female street-level sex workers is scarce.

Conclusions:

• Mental healthcare providers should offer a safe, non-judgmental environment for assessment and referral.
• Further research is crucial to understand mental health impacts, resilience, and coping strategies.
• Holistic interventions are needed to address the complex needs of female street-level sex workers.