Nurses' attitudes toward female sex workers: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Stigma against female sex workers is a significant barrier to healthcare access.
• Limited understanding exists regarding nurses' specific attitudes and perceptions.
• Factors influencing these attitudes and their impact on care are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' attitudes towards female sex workers.
• To identify factors influencing nurses' care for female sex workers.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing content analysis.
• Data collected through semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews with nurses in Hong Kong.

Main Results:

• Nurses expressed varied views, ranging from acceptance to stigmatization of sex work.
• Reported feelings included reluctance, hesitation, and willingness to care for female sex workers.
• Multiple factors were identified as influencing the provision of care.

Conclusions:

• Nurses exhibit a spectrum of attitudes toward female sex workers.
• Factors influencing care provision require multi-level consideration.
• Interventions are needed to promote self-reflection on personal views and enhance non-discriminatory service delivery.