Telehealth resources and utilization interest among women who sell sex: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study.

Autor:	Zemlak JL; Marquette University College of Nursing, Clark Hall, 510 N. 16th St., Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA., Singer R; University of IL-Chicago, College of Nursing, USA., Christianson J; Marquette University, College of Nursing, USA., Stenersen M; Saint Louis University, College of Arts and Sciences, USA., Singh M; Marquette University, College of Nursing, USA., Lerret S; Marquette University, College of Nursing, USA.; Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatrics, USA.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Public health in practice (Oxford, England) [Public Health Pract (Oxf)] 2024 May 11; Vol. 7, pp. 100502. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 May 11 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI:	10.1016/j.puhip.2024.100502
Abstrakt:	Objective: Among a sample of women who sell sex (WSS), we examined unmet health needs, resources for telehealth, utilization interest, and attributes associated with interest in using telehealth. Study Design: Explanatory sequential mixed methods. Methods: WSS (N = 52) completed a fixed choice survey and focus group (N = 6, 26 individuals) from drop-in centers serving WSS. Chi-square/t-tests and results from the survey data informed the semi-structured focus group interview guide. Thematic analysis of focus group data was conducted to identify themes. Results: Over half (58 %) of participants expressed interest in using telehealth; however, some lack the necessary resources for use. While 60 % of participants own mobile phones and 46 % have access to a computer, only 35 % have a secure, private space for telehealth appointments. Interest in telehealth was higher among participants who self-identified as having high risk for HIV compared to low risk for HIV (79 % versus 46 %, p = 0.024), and among those considering PrEP for HIV prevention versus not considering PrEP (68 % versus 32 %, p = 0.046). Focus group participants preferred face-to-face encounters for complex medical concerns but expressed interest in telehealth for improved access to healthcare providers for routine care and mental health. Conclusion: Incorporating telehealth into community organizations could be one strategy to address health inequities experienced by WSS. Access to resources, including technology and safe spaces may be well-accepted if offered at trusted community organizations. Such accessibility addresses a gap in care for WSS and paves the way for new avenues for HIV prevention, mental health support, and research related to unmet health needs among WSS. Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Royal Society for Public Health.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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