Abstract
Background Sex workers were targeted for HIV prevention work from the mid-1980s and budgets were allocated for services and projects with a specific component of HIV prevention. We look at changing trends in service provision in the UK during the 1990s.
Methods Two surveys of services for sex workers were conducted: one in 1995 and the other in 1999. We documented different approaches to health promotion through questionnaire and telephone interview at these two points in time, as well as associated funding and support.
Results Eighty-one services were identified in 1995 and 124 in 1999. There was an increase in services for young people and those based in genitourinary medicine clinics. Most services conducted outreach and shared a common approach to health promotion, based on harm minimisation. Funding did not change significantly and the major source of support continued to be local health authorities.
Conclusion Despite the fact that sex workers are no longer a general priority for HIV prevention work, services have proved to be surprisingly resilient. Projects have developed a holistic approach, linking community intervention to specific health promotion, a model that may prove useful for new government initiatives in relation to health inequalities and social exclusion.
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