Citation

Pedersen PV, Arnfred A, Algren MH, Juel K. Women Health 2015; 56(4): 376-394.

Affiliation

National Institute of Public Health , University of Southern Denmark , Copenhagen , Denmark.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/03630242.2015.1101734

PMID

26479120

Abstract

Previous research on behavioral risk factors for illness among sex workers has been limited and based on mixed, poorly defined groups of sex workers. Our aim was to compare the health behaviors and weight of women brothel workers with women in the general population in Denmark. We used logistic regression analyses to compare data from 88 women working in brothels in 2010 with data from 3,225 women of similar age from the nationally representative Danish Health Survey 2010. Compared to Danish women, the prevalence of daily and heavy smoking was higher among brothel workers, but the prevalence of wanting to quit smoking was lower. The prevalence rates of exceeding the Danish high-risk level of alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and illicit drug use were higher among women brothel workers compared to Danish women. The prevalence of underweight was higher and overweight and obesity lower among brothel workers compared to Danish women. These differences were significant when adjusted for age and educational level. We noted few differences regarding dietary habits and no differences regarding physical activity. Our findings suggest the need for health promotion initiatives, particularly for smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use, targeted at women brothel workers.

Language: en