How do prostitution customers value health and position health in their discussions? Qualitative
analysis of online forums
Engelsk titel: How do prostitution customers value health and position health in their discussions? Qualitative
analysis of online forums
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Författare:
Regushevskaya, Elena
;
Tuormaa, Tuija
Email: elena.regushevskaya@thl.fi
Språk: Eng
Antal referenser: 22
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 15069441
Sammanfattning
Aim: Information on the health values and positioning of health among prostitution customers is
limited. The aim is to explore the positioning of health among prostitution customers using data from
Internet forums in Finland. Methods: Qualitative study using a purposive sample of public online
forums among prostitution customers in 2002-2012. Results: Health beliefs in relation to infections
and risky sexual behavior were diverse, from correct to false. Although men were aware of health
risks in prostitution, it was common to have multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex. Although
there were men who warned others about possible health consequences when a condom is not used,
typically men were proud not to use a condom with a prostitute and found different explanations for
not using a condom. Condom breakage was not an issue discussed in forums. Unexpected findings
were beliefs that one fifth of the Nordic population is resistant to HIV, that the possibility of HIV
transmission is exaggerated by medical specialists, and that men should control their behavior in
order not to degrade prostitutes. Discussions on health service use were few. Conclusions: Sexual
satisfaction and entertainment were the main reasons to post in the analyzed forums. Health
discussion was not common. Although condom use was reported, attention to health risks was
selective. Information on health service use was limited, which may suggest this topic was not
valued among men and should be a topic of future studies.