Determinants of Healthcare-Seeking Preferences of Female Sex Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study From the South-Western Region of Bangladesh.

Razu, SR; Usher, K; Jones, R; Islam, MS

Determinants of Healthcare-Seeking Preferences of Female Sex Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study From the South-Western Region of Bangladesh.

Razu, SR Usher, K

Jones, R Islam, MS

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Publisher:: WILEY
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Health Sci Rep, 2026, 9, (6), pp. e72592
Issue Date:: 2026-06

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Razu, SR
dc.contributor.author	Usher, K https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9686-5003
dc.contributor.author	Jones, R
dc.contributor.author	Islam, MS
dc.date.accessioned	2026-10-09T02:44:02Z
dc.date.available	2026-05-26
dc.date.available	2026-10-09T02:44:02Z
dc.date.issued	2026-06
dc.identifier.citation	Health Sci Rep, 2026, 9, (6), pp. e72592
dc.identifier.issn	2398-8835
dc.identifier.issn	2398-8835
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/196850
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Female sex workers face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare services. We examined factors influencing preference for government versus non-government healthcare services among female sex workers in Bangladesh. METHODS: Three hundred and eighty-four female sex workers from the south-western region of Bangladesh were interviewed in this cross-sectional survey. Preferences and explanatory variables (demographics, income, abuse history, routine check-up engagement, etc.) were analyzed using χ 2 tests and multiple logistic regression (MLR) to identify independent predictors of government-facility preference. RESULTS: We recorded that about one-third (32.1%) of our participants preferred government services. Participants reporting a routine health check-up had over twice the odds of government-care preference (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI 1.41-5.24), whereas non-Muslims (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.07-0.67) and those experiencing abuse (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.16-0.73) were less likely to choose public facilities. Higher incomes decreased the likelihood of choosing government facilities (AOR = 0.23-0.30), while moderate household size (3-4 members; AOR = 2.41, 95% CI 1.11-5.23) and urban residence (AOR = 2.41, 95% CI 0.99-5.87) increased it. CONCLUSION: We conclude that engagement with routine services, socioeconomic status, religion, and abuse experiences shaped the healthcare-seeking preferences for the female sex workers. Tailored interventions, including stigma-reduction training, outreach to minority groups, and NGO-public partnerships, are needed to improve government-facility utilization among this marginalized social group in Bangladesh.
dc.format	Electronic-eCollection
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	WILEY
dc.relation.ispartof	Health Sci Rep
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/hsr2.72592
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	42 Health sciences
dc.title	Determinants of Healthcare-Seeking Preferences of Female Sex Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study From the South-Western Region of Bangladesh.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	9
utslib.location.activity	United States
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-10-09T02:44:01Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	9
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Female sex workers face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare services. We examined factors influencing preference for government versus non-government healthcare services among female sex workers in Bangladesh. METHODS: Three hundred and eighty-four female sex workers from the south-western region of Bangladesh were interviewed in this cross-sectional survey. Preferences and explanatory variables (demographics, income, abuse history, routine check-up engagement, etc.) were analyzed using χ 2 tests and multiple logistic regression (MLR) to identify independent predictors of government-facility preference. RESULTS: We recorded that about one-third (32.1%) of our participants preferred government services. Participants reporting a routine health check-up had over twice the odds of government-care preference (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI 1.41-5.24), whereas non-Muslims (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.07-0.67) and those experiencing abuse (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.16-0.73) were less likely to choose public facilities. Higher incomes decreased the likelihood of choosing government facilities (AOR = 0.23-0.30), while moderate household size (3-4 members; AOR = 2.41, 95% CI 1.11-5.23) and urban residence (AOR = 2.41, 95% CI 0.99-5.87) increased it. CONCLUSION: We conclude that engagement with routine services, socioeconomic status, religion, and abuse experiences shaped the healthcare-seeking preferences for the female sex workers. Tailored interventions, including stigma-reduction training, outreach to minority groups, and NGO-public partnerships, are needed to improve government-facility utilization among this marginalized social group in Bangladesh.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/196850