title: Sources of personal income and HIV risk among sexually active women.
abstract: We examined the relationship between sources of income and sex behaviors among a sample of low-income, sexually active women in Baltimore, MD (n = 517). Data were collected through interviews administered by a trained interviewer and audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI). The study assessed four categories of income: government payments, money from other people, selling items, and irregular jobs (i.e., odds jobs). Having multiple sex partners was associated with receiving income from other people [AOR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.66-4.09], selling items [AOR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.64-4.36], and irregular jobs [AOR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.29]. Women who exchanged sex were more likely to acquire income through these sources but less likely to receive government assistance [AOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39-0.97]. Sexual behaviors are associated with multiple sources of personal income. HIV prevention interventions should address the role that economic factors play in risk behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. mdavey@jhsph.edu
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Davey-Rothwell
authors.forename: Beth S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Linas
authors.forename: Carl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Latkin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult