Risk behaviours and health care needs of drug-using female prostitutes (part I)

One hundred drug-using and 50 non-drug-using female prostitutes working in the Manchester area were interviewed about their working practices, drug use, levels of risk behaviours for HIV with clients and other sexual partners, and use of primary health care and specialist drug services. Results indicated high levels of sexual and drug risk behaviours among a proportion of women, particularly younger street-level drug users. Contact with health care providers and drug services by this group was sporadic and low. The value of developing health care and HIV prevention initiatives targeted at drug-using female prostitutes is discussed, together with the challenges this poses for primary health care providers, genitourinary medicine and specialist drugs services