Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://observatorio.fm.usp.br/handle/OPI/31309
Title: | Stigma as a Barrier to Mental Health Service Use Among Female Sex Workers in Switzerland |
Authors: | ZEHNDER, Mara; MUTSCHLER, Jochen; ROESSLER, Wulf; RUFER, Michael; RUESCH, Nicolas |
Citation: | FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY, v.10, article ID 32, 3p, 2019 |
Abstract: | Background: Many sex workers suffer from mental health problems, but do not seek help. Aim: To examine stigma-related and non stigma-related barriers to care and perceived need for treatment among female sex workers in Switzerland. Methods: Mental health service use, barriers to care, perceived need and presence of illness, symptoms, and psychiatric diagnoses were assessed among 60 female sex workers in Zurich, Switzerland. Outcomes: Mental health service use was defined as use of psychiatric medication, psychotherapy, or substance use services for at least 1 month during the past 6 months. Results: Adjusting for symptom levels, mental health service use was predicted by lower stigma-related, not by structural, barriers as well as by more perceived need for treatment and higher age. Clinical Implications: Sex workers with mental health problems would benefit from non-stigmatizing mental health care as well as from interventions to reduce public and self-stigma associated with mental illness and sex work. Strengths and Limitations: Limitations are the cross-sectional data, limited sample size, and recruitment from an information center for sex workers. Conclusion: Interventions that aim to increase mental health service use among sex workers should take stigma variables into account. |
Appears in Collections: | Artigos e Materiais de Revistas Científicas - LIM/27 Artigos e Materiais de Revistas Científicas - ODS/03 |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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art_ZEHNDER_Stigma_as_a_Barrier_to_Mental_Health_Service_2019.PDF | publishedVersion (English) | 202.42 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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