Gaps in health research related to sex work: an analysis of Canadian health research funding

Figures & data

Table 1. Funding database search terms.

Search terms

sex work, sex worker, sex workers, sex workers’, sexwork, sexworker, sexworkers, sexworkers’, sex industry, commercial sex, prostitution, prostitute, prostitutes, prostitutes’, selling sex, street work, street worker, street workers, street workers’, sex buyer, sex buyers, sex buyers’, male clients, sex tourism, sex tourist, romance tourism, sex trade, sexual labour, intimate labour, erotic entertainment, exotic dancing, exotic dancer, exotic dancers, exotic dancers’, escort, escorts, escorts’, the girlfriend experience

Table 2. Review protocol.

Category	Sub-category	CIHR Selection Criteria
Relevancy	Strong	‘Keyword Found’ total more than 3 AND Our keywords are in title, research’s keywords, AND/OR abstract (2/3) Project must undergo ethical approval Specifically contributes to the field of sex work research by either: Sex workers are the only or majority of research subjects OR Sex work is the priority topic area
	Medium	‘Keyword Found’ total between 2–3 Our keywords are in title, research’s keywords, AND/OR abstract (2/3) Specifically includes sex workers or topic of sex work, but may also include other people and issues Project must undergo ethical approval AND Sex work/Sex workers is considered as a variable, sub population, or subtopic
	Weak	Our keywords are in title, research’s keywords, OR abstract (1/3) Unclear contribution to sex work research Undetermined if project sought ethical approval
	None	None of our keywords in title, research’s keywords, abstract, or material provided Unclear contribution to sex work research Undetermined if project sought ethical approval or project did not need ethical approval

Table 3. Project characteristics.

Characteristic	n (%)/value N = 64
Research health topic
Sexually transmitted infections and HIV	49 (77%)
Health and safety (general)	8 (13%)
Injection Drug Use/Substance Use	3 (5%)
Other	4 (5%)
Location of funds held
British Columbia	22 (34%)
Manitoba	21 (33%)
Ontario	11 (17%)
Quebec	8 (13%)
International	2 (3%)
Location of research activities
International	31 (48%)
Domestic	24 (38%)
Both International and Domestic	6 (9%)
Unknown	3 (5%)
Grants by CIHR theme
Social/cultural/environmental/population health	38 (60%)
Biomedical	18 (28%)
Health systems/services	2 (3%)
Missing	6 (9%)
Funding amounts
Total funding awarded (1 April 2003–1 April 2020)	$15,009,958
Median	$100,000
Mean	$236,093
Standard Deviation	$307,437
Minimum	$3,000.00
Maximum	$1,525,180.00
Grant term (months)
Median	34.5
Mean	28.1
Standard Deviation	17.4
Minimum	4
Maximum	60