Correlates of exchanging sex for drugs or money among women who use crack cocaine.
This study examined the correlates of trading sex for drugs or money among women who use crack cocaine. Using baseline data (n = 669) from a woman-focused HIV intervention study among African American women who use crack cocaine, we conducted logistic regression analysis to examine the odds of trading sex associated with distal and proximal factors. The results indicate that heavier crack use, homelessness, and unemployment are associated with trading sex. In addition, childhood abuse is associated with trading sex and this relationship is, in part, mediated by psychological distress. This suggests that distal factors may underlie the relationship between current variables and sex trading. These findings underscore the importance for public health interventions to address both distal and proximal factors that contribute to and/or co-occur with women's drug use which, in turn, may affect their HIV risk and overall well-being.
Edwards
Jessica M
JM
Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-2812, USA. jedwards@pire.org
Halpern
Carolyn T
CT
Wechsberg
Wendee M
WM
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D016578:Crack Cocaine / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D011477:Sex Work; D014481:United States
D016578:Crack Cocaine