Sociodemographic characteristics and HIV risk behaviour patterns of male sex workers in Madrid, Spain

Abstract

This paper describes the sociodemographic and work characteristics, prevalence of HIV infection and associated risk behaviours among male sex workers (MSWs) in Madrid (Spain). Using an anonymous semi-structured questionnaire, educators attached to a mobile unit under a street-based prostitution programme surveyed 84 MSWs from several Madrid areas. Of the total surveyed: 35% were immigrants, mean age was 23 years, mean period in prostitution was four years; 21% had no primary education; 16% had injected drugs at some time; 11% reported private sexual relationships exclusively with women; 89% always used condoms in anal practices with clients; and 41% were in sexual relationships with their partners. Only 11% had ever used fortified condoms. In the preceding month, 37% had experienced condom failure, 82% without having used any lubricant. In all, 67% reported having undergone HIV testing, with a higher percentage of positive results among injecting (60%) versus non-injecting drug users (17%). Immigrants had a lower level of education, made less use of condoms, had more condom failures and, in their private lives, a greater proportion reported sexual relationships exclusively with women. In Spain, MSWs should be included in HIV prevention programmes, which ought to be specifically adapted to immigrants. Priority should be given to reducing the condom failure rate in anal intercourse, by improving access to fortified condoms.

Prevalence of HIV‐1 non‐B subtypes, syphilis, HTLV, and hepatitis B and C viruses among immigrant sex workers in Madrid, Spain

“…In Spain, HIV seroprevalence seems to be very high in this group, both those who admitted intravenous drug use (60%) and those who denied it (17%) [Belza et al, 2001]. The 23.3% rate found among immigrant Ecuatorian transsexuals is high, considering that none of them admitted intravenous drug use.…”

Sexual Risk Behaviors for HIV Infection in Spanish Male Sex Workers: Differences According to Educational Level, Country of Origin and Sexual Orientation

“…In the general population of men engaged in sex work, HIV infection rates range from 10% to 19.8% [7]. Other Spanish research focusing on drug-using MSW who work on the street found that 60% of participants were infected with HIV [6]; however, this research did not provide any information on men engaged in sex work in other venues such as apartments.…”

“…Some studies indicate that MSW undertake behaviors that place themselves and their regular and occasional partners at risk for HIV infection [2,6,[11][12][13]; however, many also indicate that certain high-risk behaviors are performed less frequently than previously assumed [14]. There is very little research examining such specific risk behaviors among MSW [12,14].…”

“…The prevalence of HIV infection in MSW is even higher than in female sex workers. [5,6]. In the general population of men engaged in sex work, HIV infection rates range from 10% to 19.8% [7].…”

Effects of a Televised Two-City Safer Sex Mass Media Campaign Targeting High-Sensation-Seeking and Impulsive-Decision-Making Young Adults

“…A number of studies have shown delay of onset of sexual initiation (e.g., Coyle, Kirby, Marin, Gómez, & Gregorish, 2004), whereas other programs have led to significant increases in condom use in populations including heterosexually active individuals (see Johnson, Carey, Marsh, Levin, & Scott-Sheldon, 2003;Neumann et al, 2002, for reviews). However, most of these interventions have been implemented in small-group (e.g., Belza et al, 2001), school (e.g., Blake et al, 2003;Gallant & Maticka-Tyndale, 2004), or individuallevel clinical settings (e.g., Morrison-Beedy & Lewis, 2001). Mass media campaigns, such as televised public service announcement (PSA) campaigns, have recently been shown to be highly effective in changing a variety of behaviors (Hornik, 2002;Noar, 2006) 2001).…”