"You need money to get high, and that's the easiest and fastest way:" A typology of sex work and health behaviours among people who inject drugs.
Int J Drug Policy
; 96: 103285, 2021 10.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33985886
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In the United States, the criminalization and stigmatization of drug use and sex work contribute to infectious disease transmission and healthcare disengagement. People who inject drugs (PWID) and engage in sex work experience exacerbated HIV risk. In the context of the ongoing HIV and overdose epidemics little research describes why PWID engage in sex work and its relative HIV risk. To inform intervention needs, we aimed to create a typology of sex work among PWID with a focus on HIV risk and healthcare utilization behaviours.METHODS:
We drew from in-depth interviews conducted across Massachusetts and Rhode Island from 2016-2019. Participants were ≥18 years old and self-reported past-month injection drug use and HIV-negative status. Using data from individuals reporting sex work experience (n=33/78), we utilized the framework method to develop a typology of perspectives on sex work engagement and attributes pertaining to HIV risk and healthcare utilization behaviours.RESULTS:
We uncovered varying perspectives on sex work and associated HIV risks and prevention needs. A typology included three groups who viewed their sex work engagement as a (1) consistent job, (2) income supplement, or (3) survival method to abate withdrawal symptoms. The first group described more consistent sexual and injection behaviours to mitigate HIV risk than the second group. The third group appeared particularly vulnerable to HIV, describing inconsistent condom use and frequent sharing of injection equipment, low healthcare utilization, and limited disclosure of sex work and injection drug use to healthcare providers.CONCLUSION:
Findings highlight distinct perspectives on sex work among PWID involved in it and corresponding perceptions of HIV risk and healthcare utilization behaviours. Understanding the nuances in sex work engagement among PWID can inform interventions to prevent infectious disease transmission, including efforts to further connect this marginalized population to harm reduction, health, and low barrier opioid treatment services.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Contexto en salud:
1_ASSA2030
/
2_ODS3
Problema de salud:
1_doencas_nao_transmissiveis
/
2_enfermedades_transmissibles
/
2_sustancias_psicoativas
Asunto principal:
Preparaciones Farmacéuticas
/
Infecciones por VIH
/
Abuso de Sustancias por Vía Intravenosa
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Drug Policy
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE PUBLICA
/
TRANSTORNOS RELACIONADOS COM SUBSTANCIAS
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos