title: Structural vulnerabilities to HIV/STI risk among female exotic dancers in Baltimore, Maryland.
abstract: Female exotic dancers (FEDs) are an important, yet understudied group of women who may engage in drug- and sex-related HIV/STI risk behaviors through their work. The study objective was to identify co-occurring indicators of vulnerability (e.g., housing, income, incarceration) associated with HIV/STI risk behavior among FEDs in Baltimore, Maryland. Surveys administered during July 2008-February 2009 captured socio-demographic characteristics, drug use, and sexual practices among dancers (N = 101) aged ≥18 years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between vulnerability and risk behavior. Dancers with a high vulnerability score (i.e., 2 or more indicators) were more likely to report sex exchange (AOR: 10.7, 95% CIs: 2.9, 39.9) and multiple sex partnerships (AOR: 6.4, 95% CIs: 2.3, 18.3), controlling for demographics and drug use, compared to their less vulnerable counterparts. Findings point to primacy of macro-level factors that need to be addressed in HIV/STI prevention efforts targeting this and other high-risk populations.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Behavior and Society , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Meredith L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: German
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serio-Chapman
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Sherman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003615:Dancing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: HIV/STIs; female exotic dancers; illicit drug use; sex exchange; vulnerability