UCLA

Background. Promoting access and utilization of sexual health services among sex workers to treat curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a popular and well-supported public health measures to reduce HIV and other STIs in the commercial sex context. However, little is known regarding the determinant of sexual health service utilization. This study aims to evaluate putative individual- and contextual-level risk factors which might influence Filipina sex workers (FSWs) attendance to utilize STI service. Methods. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1,004 FSWs and their 86 employers. Research staff also collected clinic appointment attendance data. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to estimate the simultaneous effects of individual-level and workplace-level factors. Results. Both individual- and workplace-level characteristics were associated with appointment attendance. Individual characteristics that were found to have significant effects in clinic attendance included occupation, income, length of work, and commercial sex involvement. Location was a workplace characteristic significantly associated with appointment attendance. In addition, the impact of individual-level occupation depends upon characteristics of workplaces. Conclusions. Health service is utilized in some instances contingent upon work context.