The Development of an HIV Risk Environment Scale of Exotic Dance Clubs.
Exotic dancers have received little research attention despite evidence of high-risk behaviours within exotic dance clubs (EDCs). We developed and assessed the reliability and validity of a risk environment score, examining differences between dancers (n = 107) and other staff (n = 172). In the summer of 2013, anonymous surveys were administered via A-CASI in EDCs (N = 26) in Baltimore among exotic dancers and staff. Surveys consisted of a brief demographic section followed by 65 statements. The overall domain had an alpha = 0.77 and subdomains had the following: social (alpha = 0.87), economic (alpha = 0.92), drug (alpha = 0.89), and policy (alpha = 0.66). In a factor analysis, each domain contributed significantly to the overall latent construct. The results indicate a high level of HIV/STI risk for dancers in EDCs and underscore the need for targeted interventions in these environments. As we continue to unpack the function of the broader environment in STI/HIV risk transmission, the scale could be instructive for other settings.
Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway Street, 749, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. ssherman@jhsph.edu.
Susan G
SG
Sherman
Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway Street, 749, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
Meredith R
MR
Brantley
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
Carla
C
Zelaya
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
Quyen
Q
Duong
Department of Sociology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Ralph B
RB
Taylor
All Children's Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Jon M
JM
Ellen
D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D003615:Dancing; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Exotic dance clubs; HIV risk environment; Strippers; Validation