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Barriers to health service access among female migrant Ugandan sex workers in Guangzhou, China

Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Increased trade between China and Uganda has fueled trafficking of female Ugandans into China. These women may face challenges accessing health services. This study focused on examining barriers to health care access among female Ugandan sex workers in China. METHODS: In 2014, we undertook in-depth interviews with 19 female Ugandan sex workers in Guangzhou, China. Interviews focused on barriers to health service access and were analyzed using an a priori coding framework followed by open-coding to capture emergent themes. RESULTS: Out of 19 women, 12 women reported a history of being trafficked into China. None of the women had a valid Chinese visa. Fear of being arrested for lack of documentation discouraged women in this sample from accessing hospital services. Low pay, housing exploitation, and remittances contributed to participants' lack of financial resources, which further inhibited their ability to access health services. Participants expressed feeling social isolation from the local community and reported mistrust of local individuals and organizations, including hospitals. CONCLUSION: Ugandan sex workers in China faced substantial structural barriers that limited health service access. Policy changes and the development of new programs are urgently needed to ensure these women have improved access to health services.
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-016-0453-2
Authors: Alissa Davis, Beth E. Meyerson, Blessing Aghaulor, Katherine Brown, Adisyn Watson, Kathryn E. Muessig, Ligang Yang, Joseph D. Tucker
Institutions: New York State Psychiatric Institute, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of California, San Francisco
Language: English
SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Gender equality, No poverty
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,690
Funders: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fogarty International Center, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Awards: Behavioral Sciences Research in HIV Infection, G1939027404, G2871511443, G4523881014, G4861237547, Spurring Innovation in HIV Testing and Linkage: A Crowdsourcing Approach, G7185013638, UNC-South China STD Research Training Center, Fogarty Global Health Fellows Coordinating Center, G9000075494, The University of North Carolina Center for AIDS Research, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies
OpenAlex ID: W2530350612
FWCI: 7.607
Cites: 32
Cited by: 23
Related to: 10