A Scoping review of communication strategies and interventions to deliver sexual and reproductive health information among female sex workers. Reprod Health 2026 Jun 04;23(1)
Date
06/04/2026Pubmed ID
42237317Pubmed Central ID
PMC13483630DOI
10.1186/s12978-026-02360-7Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105047551025 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
BACKGROUND: Female sex workers face a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, therefore, they require access to reproductive health information. This is the first scoping literature review on communication strategies for delivering sexual and reproductive health information and services to improve health outcomes for female sex workers. The strategies analyzed consisted of information and communication technology, mobile health, community mobilization, and community engagement.
METHODS: Searches were conducted in June of 2023 from the following databases: PubMed, OVID, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria included a focus on female sex workers, sexual and reproductive health outcomes, peer-reviewed articles including experimental and observational studies, and published in English between January 2018 and June 2023. The initial search identified 333 papers of which 21 met the eligibility criteria. A data extract table was used to obtain key information from the articles which were synthesized into themes.
RESULTS: Mobile health (mhealth), particularly short messaging service (SMS), can enhance public health programming but must be implemented carefully to avoid reinforcing existing socioeconomic and cultural barriers. Community engagement, empowerment, and support-through participatory design, peer education, and leadership-are essential for effective program development. Communication strategies, including interpersonal exchanges, community involvement, and information and communications technologies (ICT) use, are key to holistic public health efforts.
CONCLUSION: Further research can expand upon these findings by encompassing different sexual and reproductive outcomes and investigating possible risks associated with communication using ICTs.
Author List
Dua R, Rine S, Beroza A, Kiconco A, Bobholz F, Anguzu R, Dickson-Gomez J, Okoth C, Magezi RK, Kyomya M, Beyer KMAuthors
Ronald Anguzu PhD, MD Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of WisconsinKirsten M. Beyer PhD, MS, MPH Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Julia Dickson-Gomez PhD Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
CommunicationFemale
Humans
Reproductive Health
Sex Workers
Sexual Health
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
