Guidance for primary care practitioners providing sexual health care to sex workers

The department has developed guidance for primary care practitioners providing sexual health care to sex workers in consultation with key health services and community organisations.

The document focuses on sexually transmissible infection (STI) and blood-borne virus (BBV) testing and treatment. Importantly, sex workers also attend primary care for a wide variety of reasons unrelated to sex work or sexual health. Victorian testing data show that STI and BBV rates among sex workers are consistently below the levels for the general population.

The document includes information about:

• stigma
• sex worker experiences of stigma in health settings
• tools for respectful practice such as privacy and confidentiality
• testing, treatment and care
• good practice examples.

Health professionals who are interested in further developing their knowledge can check the BBV/STI Victorian education and events calendar.