274274 More than Sex on Film: Prelimanary evidence of Co-Occurring Psychosocial Health Problems and Increased Vulnerability of HIV/AIDS Among Adult FIlm (Pornographic)Actresses

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Candace Sibley, MSPH , Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Atlanta, GA
Background:Heightened Gonorrhea rates (8.5 times higher) and Chlamydia rates (18 times higher) among adult film actresses compared to their non- sex worker peers suggest the existence of significant sexual health disparities in this population.Participants also experienced higher levels of depression, intimate partner violence, and childhood sexual abuse (psychosocial health problems) than their non- sex worker counterparts. This study examined the possibility of a syndemic (i.e. if the high prevalence of psychosocial health problems interact to heighten HIV/STI risk) among adult film actresses.Methods: A cross-sectional survey with adult film actresses (n=134) described psychosocial health problems and HIV risk. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to assess the additive role of psychosocial health issues in enhancing HIV risk among adult film actresses. Results: The prevalence of psychosocial health problems varied with 57% of the sample reporting substance use and 34% reporting intimate partner violence. In bivariate analyses, all psychosocial health problem were related to increased HIV susceptibility, increased number of sexual partners, and participation in other sex work except rape. The syndemic variable amplified odds of having 4 or more sex partners in the participant's personal lives ( OR:1.60,95% CI=1.14-2.24), participation in other sex work for drugs, food or money (OR: 1.65,95% CI=1.21-2.26) and belief of susceptibility to HIV (OR:1.62,95% CI=1.04-2.53) when controlling for poverty, education level and race. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary evidence of a syndemic among adult film actresses and provide a pragmatic understanding of the synergistic co-occurring role of psychosocial problems in increasing HIV risk this population.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Occupational health and safety
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1.)Identify the differences in HIV/STI risk for adult film actresses 2.)Explain the rationale for the use of culturally appropriate measurement to help create interventions relevant to the occupational norms of the adult film industry 3) Describe factors which fuel sexual health disparities among adult film actresses 4)Differentiate HIV risk for adult film stars from other sex workers 5) Analyze how contextual factors interact to heighten HIV risk in this disparate population

Keywords: Sex Workers, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was responsible for data management and data analysis. Moreover, I have done multiple studies on HIV/AIDS with several marginalized groups (African Americans, Gay Men, and Adult film stars). I am trained in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4273.1: Late breaker Poster Session III