title: Venue-based affiliation networks and HIV risk-taking behavior among male sex workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined venue-based networks constituted by affiliation with gay bars and street intersections where male sex workers (MSWs) congregate to find their sexual/drug-sharing partners and network influence on risky sexual behavior (e.g., unprotected anal intercourse [UAI]) and HIV infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collected in 2003 to 2004 in Houston, Texas, consists of 208 MSWs affiliated with 15 gay bars and 51 street intersections. Two-mode network analysis was conducted to examine structural characteristics in affiliation networks, as well as venue-based network influence on UAI and HIV infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Centralized affiliation patterns were found where only a few venues were popular among MSWs, and these were highly interdependent. Distinctive structural patterns of venue-based clustering were associated with UAI and infection. Individuals who shared venue affiliation with MSWs who engage in UAI were less likely to have UAI themselves. This suggests a downhill effect; that is, individuals compensate for their risk of infection by adjusting their own risk-taking behavior, based on their perceptions of their venue affiliates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Venue-based HIV/AIDs interventions could be tailored to specific venues so as to target specific clusters that are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. Kayo.Fujimoto@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012147:Restaurants; D012309:Risk-Taking; D060386:Sex Workers; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013781:Texas; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult