Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Male and Transgender Women Sex Workers at the Prostitution Outreach Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Objectives Male and transgender women sex workers (TSWs) are vulnerable for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and substance use might be a relevant contributing factor. We assessed sociodemographic characteristics and substance use among sex workers; divided into 3 groups: Transgender women sex workers, male sex workers who have sex with men only or also with females (MSW-M), male sex workers who have sex with females only (MSW-F). Methods A survey on substance use and sexual (risk) behavior was offered during routine STI screening at the Prostitution and Health Centre (P&G292) in Amsterdam. Bacterial STI positivity (chlamydia (including lymphogranuloma venereum), gonorrhea, and/or infectious syphilis), and substance use were compared (χ2 test, Fisher exact test). Results From 2014 until 2015, 99 (60.4%) of 164 eligible visitors participated (n = 69 MSW-M [69.7%], n = 15 TSW [15.2%], and n = 15 MSW-F [15.2%]). Transgender women sex workers reported the highest number of sex partners in the previous 6 months (median: MSW-M 60 vs. TSW 300 vs. MSW-F 12; P
Source: Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Category: Sexual Medicine Tags: Original Studies Source Type: research