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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

E. Roberto Orellana, MSW, MPH, Nabila El-Bassel, DSW, and Louisa Gilbert, MS. Social Intervention Group - School of Social Work, Columbia University, 1255 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027, 212-851-2108, ero2103@columbia.edu

Objective: This study examines the prevalence estimates of sex trading among a random sample of 356 male methadone patients, and the associations between sex trading and HIV risk sexual behaviors, and illicit drug use. Method: We recruited men from methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTPs). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between trading sex for money or drugs in the previous six months and sex behaviors, and illicit drug use, controlling for length of time in MMTP and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Prevalence of sex trading was 54% for lifetime and 9% for the previous six months. Length of time in MMTP was 9.42 years. There were significant associations between trading sex and crack use (OR = 3.34, p < 0.05), heroin use (OR = 3.1, p < 0.05) polydrug use (OR = 3.6, p < 0.01), and injection drug use (OR = 3.0, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The continued illicit drug use among MMTP patients may undermine their ability to avoid behaviors with high risk for HIV infection and transmission. Innovative HIV prevention strategies for men in substance abuse treatment must be developed and take into consideration the relationship between drug use and sex trading.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to recognize factors associated with sex trading and HIV risk among men in methadone treatment. Interventions may be informed from our findings.

Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Substance Abuse Treatment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation