The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39629

Julie G. Cwikel, Center for Women's Health Studies and Promotion, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653, Beer Sheva, Israel, 972-8-6472321, jcwikel@bgumail.bgu.ac.il

Abstract Objectives: This study examined working conditions, reported morbidity, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression and their relationship to an index of risk for sexually transmitted disease (STD) infection among women working in brothels in Israel. Design: This social epidemiological cross-sectional survey used structured interviewing. Subjects: A purposive sample of 55 women. Main outcome measures: Self-reported morbidity, PTSD symptoms using the PCL check-list, depression using the CES-D scale, a seven-item scale of STD risk, traumatic events before age 18, while working in prostitution and exposure to violence in prostitution. Results: A majority of the women had been trafficked into Israel and were working illegally. The risk of STD increased among those who reported working during the menstrual cycle, history of drug use, abuse and neglect before the age of 18, suicide attempts, work in another country before Israel, and PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: An increased risk for STD is associated with some of the working conditions reported by women brothel workers, including a distressed background and symptoms associated with exposure to trauma. Israeli brothel workers are providing services to a high number of clinics on average and those who see the highest number of clients increase their risk of work-related violence and symptoms indicative of STD risk. There is an urgent need to provide outreach health services to these women to clinically assess current STD infections and provide for their health and psychological needs.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the demographic characteristics of women trafficked for the purposes of prostitution and how they similar or dissimilar to other women in that age group.
• List 6 indicators of high risk for sexually transmitted disease in this population
• Develop specific public health action plan for developing appropriate health services to serve this generally invisible population.

Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Center for Women's Health Studies and Promotion at Ben Gurion University of the Negev and The Psychiatric Hospital of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben Gurion University of the Negev
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.