Comparison of health behaviors among women brothel workers to those of the general population of women in Denmark

ABSTRACT

Previous research on behavioral risk factors for illness among sex workers has been limited and based on mixed, poorly defined groups of sex workers. The aim of the present study was to compare the health behaviors and weight of women brothel workers with women in the general population in Denmark. Logistic regression analyses were used to compare data from eighty-eight women working in brothels in 2010 with data from 3,225 women of similar age from the nationally representative Danish Health Survey 2010. Compared to Danish women, the prevalence of daily and heavy smoking was higher among brothel workers, but the prevalence of wanting to quit smoking was lower. The prevalence rates of exceeding the Danish high-risk level of alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and illicit drug use were higher among women brothel workers compared to Danish women. The prevalence of underweight was higher and overweight and obesity lower among brothel workers compared to Danish women. These differences were significant when adjusted for age and educational level. Few differences were noted regarding dietary habits and no differences regarding physical activity. Findings suggest the need for health-promotion initiatives, particularly for smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use, targeted at women brothel workers.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol
• behavior
• body mass index
• drug use
• physical activity
• risk factors
• sex worker