Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105746

James A. Inciardi, PhD, Hilary L. Surratt, PhD, Marion C. Kiley, MPA, and Jason C. Weaver, BA. Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware, 2100 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 1180, Coral Gables, FL 33134, 305 572-1030, mcexpress@mindspring.com

Background: Drug-involved women sex workers are at elevated risk for HIV infection and transmission, yet studies have not examined whether sex workers with minor children protect themselves to a greater or lesser extent than sex workers who do not have minor children. Methods: Street-based sex workers in Miami, Florida, were recruited using targeted sampling techniques. Following informed consent, women were interviewed regarding drug use, sexual behaviors, exposure to violence, and health status, and were randomly assigned to one of two structured interventions delivered by former drug using sex workers certified as HIV counselors. Clients received voluntary HIV testing and counseling with follow-up interviews at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Of 807 women enrolled, the median age was 38 years; the majority were African-American (63.7%), and 41.9% were homeless. Primary past month substance use were alcohol (78.3%) and crack (71.1%); unprotected vaginal sex was reported by 52.1%. Only 15.9% (N=128) of the sex workers had minor children who were living with them, whereas 40.8% (N=329) had minor children who were living with someone else, and 43.3% (N=350) had no minor children. In comparison with the latter two groups, the sex workers with minor children living with them were less likely to have histories of crack or heroin use, had fewer sex partners, and were less likely to be HIV positive. Conclusions: These findings along with data from focus groups with subsamples of women in each cohort highlight the need to examine motherhood as a protective factor for HIV/AIDS risk behaviors.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Identify population characteristics of commercial sex workers in Miami, Florida.
• Describe HIV/AIDS risks of sex-working mothers living with and without minor children.
• Discuss potential policy implications of results from the study presented.

Keywords: Risk Behavior, Sex Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation