| Summary: | Includes bibliographical references. === Generally, sex workers are a socially marginalized group with poor physical health. Within the hierarchy of sex workers, street-based sex workers are at the bottom. Street-based sex workers face different kinds of work experiences and exposure, with varying degrees of health problems. Their health problems are more severe and worse than the other classes of sex workers. Street-based sex workers are subjected to considerable risks of physical abuse, beatings and rape. These impact greatly on their health. This study explored the general health problems of street-based female sex workers. The study was carried out in Cape Town among street-based female sex workers aged 18 years and above. It was cross-sectional, conducted over a period of six months using fifteen (15) in-depth interviews and four (4) focus group discussions. The respondents were non-randomly recruited through the Embrace Dignity Project, whose activities involved sex workers. The study discovered that condom use was inconsistent as a result of financial incentives, condom breakage, violence, rape and non-payment from clients when insisting on condom use. But some respondents were not using condoms at all. The majority of respondents reported stigmatization and discrimination by community members and the police. Most of the respondents do not go for routine and other medical checks. Some respondents were not satisfied with health care provision due to discrimination by providers and long waiting times. Notwithstanding, respondents reported a long list of health problems including: flu, cough, HIV/AIDS, TB, headache, vaginal discharge, itchy vagina, sleeplessness, high blood pressure, fever, heart problems, diarrhoea, sweating at night, arthritis, diabetes, alcoholic problems, bad breath, sore throat, and mouth rash. Physical and psychological problems were also mentioned. Most respondents rated their health status as bad. The illegality of sex work in South Africa pushes sex workers to practice the trade in obscure places making them very vulnerable. Street-based female sex workers have numerous general health problems, but with limited access to health services. The law does not also help the course of street-based female sex workers. There is an urgent need to partially criminalize sex work. Reorientation and education of sex workers and providers is also required. All these will help promote the welfare of sex workers.
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