# Health Status and Use of Healthcare Services of Undocumented Migrant Sex Workers in Catalonia: A Descriptive Study Using Administrative Registries

## TL;DR

This study examines the health and healthcare use of undocumented migrant sex workers in Catalonia from 2013 to 2018.

## Contribution

It provides a descriptive analysis of health service utilization and disease prevalence among undocumented migrant sex workers.

## Key findings

- Over half of undocumented migrant sex workers used primary care services at least once.
- Sub-Saharan African migrants had higher primary care use compared to those from Europe and Central Asia.
- Community-led point-of-care testing is suggested to improve HIV and STD screening among this population.

## Abstract

The objective of the study is to describe the health status and use of public healthcare services by undocumented migrant sex workers (UMSWs) attended in Catalonia between 2013 and 2018. This study utilized a descriptive observational research design. Non-parametric tests were applied to estimate differences in the use of public healthcare services, and incidence and prevalence of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) according to gender and region of origin. Out of 1464 women and 199 men UMSWs, 855 (51.4%) contacted primary care services once or more, and 378 (22.7%) used emergency services. Differences between regions of origin were found in the use of primary care services (Sub-Saharan Africa had 65.9% while Europe and Central Asia 43.0%, p < 0.001). Facilitating early diagnosis and improving access to healthcare resources among key populations such as men who have sex with men or transgender women can be achieved through interventions such as community-led point-of-care testing, which increases the frequency of HIV and STD screening and may also prove effective among UMSWs.