Objective: To examine the relationship between attendance at commercial sex venues (CSV) and risk for HIV and a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Methods: In a sample of 687 MSM interviewed for the Young Men’s Survey in Los Angeles, we examined associations between HIV and STD infections and attendance at a CSV (eg., bathhouse, sex club).
Findings: Prevalence of HIV and STD is higher for MSM who attended CSV. They also have more sexual partners, engage in riskier sexual behaviors, and are more likely to have used drugs/alcohol the last time they had sex.
|
|
CSV (n=71/10%) |
Non-CSV (n=616/90%) |
|
||
|
|
n |
% |
n |
% |
|
|
HIV+ |
13 |
18 |
44 |
7 |
c 2=10.13 p=.001 |
|
STD History |
23 |
32 |
75 |
12 |
c 2=21.06 p=.001 |
|
> 7 sexual partners/ last 6 months |
42 |
59 |
56 |
10 |
c 2=128.99 p=.001 |
|
Unprotected: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analingus |
54 |
76 |
262 |
43 |
c 2=28.80 p=.001 |
|
Digital Penetration |
58 |
82 |
255 |
41 |
c 2=41.67 p=.001 |
|
Fisting |
9 |
13 |
21 |
3 |
c 2=13.09 p=.001 |
|
Anal Intercourse |
42 |
59 |
240 |
50 |
c 2=2.12 p=.145 |
|
High/Drunk during last sex |
25 |
36 |
133 |
24 |
c 2=5.05 p=.025 |
|
Tested for HIV |
56 |
79 |
406 |
66 |
c 2=4.79 p=.029 |
Conclusions: Despite the association between higher prevalence of HIV and risky behavior in commercial sex venues, it is unclear if these associations are causal. Further research to investigate a causal relationship between CSV attendance, risk behaviors, and HIV transmission should be conducted, perhaps most appropriately in the public sex environments.
Learning Objectives: Participants will understand the importance of HIV outreach and prevention activities in commercial sex venues
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Gay Men
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.