Social Determinants of Health of Racialized Male Sex Workers: Scoping Literature Review

Background

This study is a scoping review that maps existing scientific literature on the health needs of racialized men in sex work, framed within the Social Determinants of Health model.

Objectives

The review aims to identify and analyze health vulnerabilities among this population, focusing on how various social determinants impact their health.

Eligibility Criteria

Studies published in the last 5 years, in English or Spanish, open-access, focused on male sex workers, without specific geographic limitations.

Sources of Evidence

Systematic searches were conducted in Scopus, Redalyc, Google Scholar, and PubMed.

Charting Methods

Using search queries “male sex work” AND health; “male sex work” AND race AND health; “male prostitution” AND race AND health, a total of 2,643 records were retrieved and screened. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 32 studies were selected for review.

Results

Analysis based on the Dahlgren-Whitehead Social Determinants of Health model reveals that racialized male sex workers experience health vulnerabilities primarily influenced by individual and proximal determinants, with less emphasis on intermediate and distal factors such as social networks and community support.

Conclusions

These findings highlight significant health disparities affecting racialized MSWs, underscoring the need for a structural and comprehensive approach to address these disparities. This study advocates moving beyond a blame-oriented, moralistic view of individual behaviors in traditional epidemiology, focusing instead on social and structural interventions to improve sexual health outcomes for this marginalized group.