International Journal of Epidemiology
Volume 30, Issue 6, 2001, Pages 1449-1454

Sex trade involvement and rates of human immunodeficiency virus positivity among young gay and bisexual men (Article) (Open Access)

Weber A.E. , Craib K.J.P. , Chan K. , Martindale S. , Miller M.L. , Schechter M.T. , Hogg R.S.
  • a British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • c British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • d British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • e British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • f British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Departments of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • g British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Departments of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Division of Epidemiology and Population Health, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada

Abstract

Background. Susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is of particular concern for marginalized populations. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors associated with sex trade work among young gay and bisexual men. Further, we aimed to compare HIV prevalence and incidence among men involved and not involved in sex trade work. Methods. The study is based upon data obtained from a prospective cohort study of young gay and bisexual men. Participants had completed a baseline questionnaire which elicited information on demographic information, sexual behaviours, and substance use. Sex trade involvement was defined as the exchange of money, drugs, goods, clothing, shelter or protection for sex within the one year prior to enrolment. Contingency table and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with involvement in the sex trade. Results. Of the 761 eligible participants, 126 (16%) reported involvement in sex trade work. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed regular alcohol use (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.6, 95% CI : 1.8-7.2), aboriginal ethnicity (OR = 3.7, 95% CI : 1.6-8.7), unemployment (OR = 3.9, 95% CI : 2.1-7.3), history of residence in a psychiatric ward (OR = 4.2, 95% CI : 1.8-9.8), bisexual activity (OR = 7.0, 95% CI : 3.5-14.1) and the use of crack (OR = 7.4, 95% CI : 3.0-18.7) to be independently associated with sex trade work. Sex trade workers had a significantly higher HIV prevalence at baseline compared with non-sex trade workers (7.3% versus 1.1%, P < 0.001). As well, HIV incidence was found to be significantly higher for sex trade workers compared with non-sex trade workers (4.7% versus 0.9%, P = 0.011). Conclusion. Our study reveals that for male sex trade workers in this setting increased vulnerability to HIV infection is related to unfavourable living conditions, substance use and sexual risk behaviour.

Author Keywords

Housing risk factors Sexual behaviour Sex trade worker Homosexual men

Index Keywords

hospital admission unemployment prospective study sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection alcohol consumption contingency table demography multivariate logistic regression analysis human controlled study priority journal alcohol substance abuse money ethnology Human immunodeficiency virus cocaine homosexuality bisexuality male Aborigine risk factor questionnaire prostitution prevalence Incidence Article disease prevalence major clinical study adult drug abuse disease predisposition cohort analysis medical geography anamnesis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0035710921&doi=10.1093%2fije%2f30.6.1449&partnerID=40&md5=2daab3d3aebcb1ebf45a129d04ace068
DOI: 10.1093/ije/30.6.1449
ISSN: 03005771
Cited by: 52
Original Language: English