[Health care for women in situation of prostitution: systematized narrative review].

OBJECTIVE

The context in which women in prostitution find themselves makes them more susceptible to suffering violence of multiple characteristics, including the violation of the right to health of many of them, conditioned by prejudices related to venereal diseases, common administrative irregularity or the inherent stigma. The objective of this work was to identify the main challenges of health care for women in prostitution.

METHODS

A systematic narrative review was carried out by searching the Scielo, PubMed, Dialnet and Cuiden databases for primary studies published between 2018 and 2023. The literature search was carried out by peer review between the months of January and March 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 19 articles were selected, highlighting the thematic lines: access to the Health System; prevalence and risk factors for HIV and other STIs; HIV prevention and use of PrEP; and comprehensive and biopsychosocial care for the health problems of women in prostitution.

CONCLUSIONS

Health care for women in prostitution generally focuses on sexual and reproductive health, but health care should cover their health more broadly, given that they have significant needs in the area of mental health, exposure to violence, and hygiene and health conditions. Self-care practices are essential for women themselves to take an active role in prevention and health promotion.