Barriers to comprehensive care for women who engage in sex work

Objective: Identify barriers to comprehensive care for women who engage in sex work in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Method: Qualitative study conducted with seven sex workers from October to December 2023. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and submitted to content analysis, according to the framework proposed by Bardin. Results: Social inequality, the context of violence in which these women live, the stigma and prejudice surrounding sex work, and the lack of training among health professionals are factors that act as significant barriers to these women’s access to health care and comprehensive care. Conclusion: Strategies for training health professionals and implementing public policies to mitigate the social vulnerability of female sex workers are necessary.