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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Michele R. Decker, MPH, Division of Public Health Practice, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Kresge 705, Boston, MA 02115, 617-43205461, mdecker@hsph.harvard.edu and Jay G. Silverman, PhD, Division of Public Health Practice/Department of Society, Human Development & Health, Harvard University, 677 Huntington Ave., Kresge 705, Boston, MA 02115.

Background/Objectives: Despite evidence of high rates of violence victimization and sexually transmitted disease diagnosis among women engaged in sex trade, and a growing sex trafficking epidemic fueled in part by client demand for sexual services, little research and no epidemiologic study has been conducted among men to 1) identify the prevalence of purchasing sex, and 2) assess the relation of this behavior to men's violence perpetration and sexual health risk. This report offers preliminary findings from a large community-based study of men to inform these issues.

Methods: Men ages 18-35 attending four urban community health centers anonymously completed an automated computer-assisted survey instrument (ACASI). Participants self-reported their experiences of sex trade as well as sexual risk behaviors, STD diagnoses history, and interpersonal violence perpetration. Preliminary results will be presented on data collected from approximately 1500 men.

Results: Preliminary results indicate that approximately 12% of participating men reported ever having provided drugs, money or a place to stay in exchange for sex with a girl or woman. No demographic differences were detected between men who reported this behavior and those who did not, however sex trade was positively associated with STD history, perpetration of physical and sexual intimate partner violence, and perpetration of sexual assault against individuals not classified as intimate partners.

Discussion: Results will be discussed in the context of improving our understanding of sexual risk and interpersonal violence among clients of sex workers, and guiding prevention efforts for the interrelated public health problems of sexual risk and violence.

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

• Describe prevalence of sex trade behavior among a community-based sample of men.
• Describe associations of sexually transmitted disease and interpersonal violence perpetration with sex trade behaviors among a community-based sample of men.
• Generate direction for further research to clarify the mechanisms for the identified associations.

Keywords: Sexual Behavior, Violence Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No