Legislation requiring monthly testing of sex workers with low rates of sexually transmitted infections restricts access to services for higher-risk individuals

Abstract

Objectives: In Victoria, Australia, legislation requires sex workers to undergo monthly testing for gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomonas, and 3-monthly for HIV and syphilis, despite extremely low rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in female sex workers (FSW). The aim of this study was to quantify the resources and opportunities lost from this screening. Methods: Computerised medical records of patients attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) between October 2005 and October 2008 were reviewed. Results: Consultations with FSW accounted for 15.1% of total consultation time (5722 of 37 670 h) and of these, 2896 h (7.7%) were used for monthly consultations involving test..