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312299
At the intersection of risk: MSM and transgender women sex workers, sex work patrons, and partners of sex workers in San Salvador
Monday, November 17, 2014
John J. Hembling, MPH
,
Global Health Systems and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Maria Elena Guardado, MD
,
TEPHINET, Inc, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Flor de Maria Hernandez
,
TEPHINET, Inc
Introduction: Sex workers, MSM, and transgender woman are at heightened risk for HIV. Within these key populations, persons who are both MSM or TW, and sex workers are doubly at risk for infection and merit special attention. We provide descriptive information on MSM and TW who report sex work, sex work patronage, or having a regular partner perceived to be a sex worker to further this goal. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using respondent driven sampling was conducted among MSM and transgender women in San Salvador (N=670). Frequencies and chi-squared tests of association were conducted using weighted data. RESULTS: Thirty-four percent (34%) of participants reported exchanging sex for money or goods, and 18% reported sex work patronage, in the last year. Twenty-six percent (26%) reported a sexual partner they perceived to be a sex worker (n=178); in 55% of these cases the partner was a regular non-commercial sexual partner of the participant. In 87% of partnerships with perceived sex workers a condom was used at last sex. No difference was observed in having tested for HIV ever, or in the last 12 months, among sex workers, patrons of sex work, or persons with a partner who is a sex worker. Conclusion: One third of MSM and transgender women report sex exchange and one quarter report a partner who is a sex worker. While condom use is high among this population, HIV testing services need to be better targeted to this group at the intersection of risk.
Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Assess the increased risk of sexual minorities who are sex workers, sex worker patrons, and who have partners who are sex workers.
Demonstrate the importance of targeted HIV prevention services.
Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS, Sex Workers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I served as the principle investigator for this study, and for several studies focused on marginalized populations at risk for HIV. With her MPH and AIDS Foundation of Chicago colleagues,Dr. Neubauer co-developed the Public Health Boot Camp, an intensive week-long residential public health training program designed to enhance mid-level HIV/AIDS organizational leaders’ professional knowledge of core public health concepts. She co-founded the Health Disparities & Social Justice Conference hosted annually at DePaul's Loop Conference Center.
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.
