2. Research Sample
For the purposes of this study, it was found necessary to do research in a small group of sex workers from Skopje pertaining to their living environment, their work, physical and mental health, as well as the healthcare services they have access to. There was particular emphasis on three key segments, the first of which includes the manner and the reason for their involvement in sex work, and the way it impacts their private lives. The second segment examines the interrelationship between sex workers and clients. The third one refers to their mental and physical health, as well as the impact of their job on their health and health care.
The research was conducted by means of interviewing sex workers who were previously mapped. All respondents are sex workers who are currently engaged in sex work and are STAR-STAR members.
In order to identify the determining factors that maintain sex workers in their profession and to explore their experiences related to their clients and healthcare, and in order to strengthen the samples’ representation validity, the study encompassed sex workers from the outdoor scene( offering sexual services outdoors) as well as sex workers from the indoor scene( offering sexual services in hotels and private apartments).
The conducted interviews were stratified in accordance with several features including sex and gender, age, ethnic and religious background, education, place of residence, marital status and family, as well as employment, health and social status. Creating the research sample in this manner displays a more precise reflection of the lifestyle of sex workers who live, work and / or temporarily reside in the City of Skopje. It should be taken into account that by doing this research on a smaller group of sex workers, we can only obtain an incomplete or partial image of sex workers’ lifestyle; given that this is a complex subject matter and that every person has a unique lifestyle. Nonetheless, by encompassing various profiles of individuals involved in sex work, a detailed overview regarding sex work can be acquired.
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