ПРОЦЕНКА НА ПОТРЕБИТЕ НА МЛАДИТЕ СЕКСУАЛНИ РАБОТНИЦИ ВО ОДНОС НА ЗДРА Проценка на потребите на младите сексуални работни | Page 28

YOUNG SEX WORKERS’ NEEDS ASSESSMENT RELATED
TO HEALTHCARE, SOCIAL AND LEGAL SERVICES
HIV testing is available for us, as well as pre and post counseling for HIV testing. –
transgender sex worker.
If you have any sort of pain, you are rushed to the gynecologist. – female sex worker.
Services which are considered unavailable include those of exams by infectious
diseases specialists, mammography specialist, urologist and endocrinologist,
vaccination, diagnosis and treatment of Viral Hepatitis, as well as social support
for issues related to HIV/AIDS. When the participants were asked: “If such services
were made available, would you be willing to utilize them in the next year?” all
participants confirmed that they would utilize those services during the following
year provided they were available for them. They have also pointed out that they
do need healthcare insurance, in case the same services are provided within the
frames of the state institutions. By utilizing these services the protection against
Hepatitis B and C among sex workers will considerably improve, regular medical
exams by a urologist will be provided (this refers to male sex workers), and the
transition process will be fully ensured (this refers to transgender sex workers).
4.2 Services Availability and Accessibility
All services which are considered available for sex workers are currently provided
by civil organizations. 80% of the focus group participants have singled out the
utilization of services offered by the Civil Associations STAR-STAR and HOPS
(Healthy Options Skopje), whereas 20% mentioned the Civil Organization HERA
(Health Education and Research Association), i.e. the Youth Centers “I Want to Know”
and “Shuto Orizari”, which operate within the Association as service providers.
People from HOPS take us to the female doctor. Those from STAR send us over to Vodno.
(this refers to the “I Want to Know” Youth Center) – female sex worker.
All focus group participants have confirmed that the provision and distribution of
the basic prevention package (condoms and lubricants) is always a readily available
service. This service is easily available given that the outreach workers engaged by the
civil organizations regularly distribute condoms and lubricants on locations where
sex workers operate or reside. They can also obtain this by visiting STAR-STAR’s office.
The provision of the basic prevention package for marginalized groups (sex workers,
drug users, LGBT) is financially supported by the Population Protection against HIV in
the Republic of Macedonia Prevention Program, sponsored by the Ministry of Health.
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