Sex tourism and public health in the UK: a grounded theory framework

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The motivations, sexual behaviours and public health implications of people who travel for sex (PWTFS) to Thailand: a contemporary grounded theory framework

• IRAS ID

  256202

• Contact name

  Marie Claire Van Hout

• Contact email

  M.C.VanHout@ljmu.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Liverpool John Moores University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 6 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  This self-funded PhD, supervised through the Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, will explore the motivations, sexual behaviours and UK public health implications of people who travel for sex (PWTFS) to Thailand.
  
  Opperman’s (1999) ‘Sex Tourism Framework’ is the only framework mapping the motivations and behaviours of participants. However since its creation, significant socio-economic changes have taken place. There is a need to modernise Opperman’s framework as developments within the sex tourism industry are challenging disease surveillance and implementation of health initiatives, creating stigma and discrimination for sex providers and users.

  The research will recruit and interview PWTFS (who will be referred to as participants for research purposes) and healthcare professionals (HCPs). HCPs will be recruited from primary health care settings, travel clinic and support services across Manchester, Liverpool and London. HCPs will also act as gatekeepers, referring the researcher to potential participants. Participants will also be recruited through posters and a website that will be distributed in public spaces and social media and through community organisations. The researcher will also attend clinic drop-in sessions to recruit and interview participants.

  Semi-structured in-depth interviews will be conducted for both HCPs (30 minutes) and participants (up to 60 minutes). The majority of interviews will take place over the phone or via Skype. Some interviews make take place during drop-in clinic visits. Participants will be also be given the opportunity to member check interviews, feedback on the study design and collaborate on the summary and final reports.

  The study aims to be completed by 2022.

• REC name

  North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  19/NW/0253

• Date of REC Opinion

  24 Jul 2019

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion