학술논문
Heterosexual men who purchase sex and attended an STI clinic in Israel: characteristics and sexual behavior
Document Type
Report
Author
Source
Israel Journal of Health Policy Research. June 27, 2018, Vol. 7 Issue 1
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2045-4015
Abstract
Author(s): Rivka Rich[sup.1,2] , Alex Leventhal[sup.1] , Rivka Sheffer[sup.2] and Zohar Mor[sup.3,4] Background Societal opinion regarding female commercial sex workers (FCSW) is diverse and has changed over recent decades. While [...]
Background Commercial sex shares a role in HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) transmission. Men who pay for sex (MPS) may transmit HIV/STI to other populations which are low-risk. This study aimed to test our hypothesis that MPS engage in high-risk sexual behaviors associated with HIV/STI transmission more so than non-MPS. Methods This cross-sectional study included heterosexual men who attended an STI clinic between 2003 and 2010. Demographic, clinical, behavioral and laboratory data were compared between MPS and non-MPS to identify factors associated with high-risk sexual behavior and STI-burden. Results Of the first visits of 6156 heterosexual men who attended the STI-clinic during the study period, 1649 (26.7%) were MPS. MPS were more commonly older, married and non-Israeli born compared with non-MPS. MPS were more likely to engage in risk-behaviors associated with HIV/STI-transmission, including a greater number of lifetime sexual partners, substance use and previous STI diagnoses. Determinants associated with STI-diagnoses at the current visit included being non-Israeli born, presenting with STI symptoms, reporting a greater number of lifetime sexual partners and having sexual encounters with non-Israeli individuals. Conclusions Approximately 25% of all men who attended the clinic were MPS. They were more likely to engage in risk-behaviors associated with HIV/STI transmission compared to non-MPS. These findings highlight the need to establish interventions for MPS that both continue to encourage condom use and address the potential perils pertaining to risky sexual behaviors. Keywords: Sexual behavior, Sex-workers, Heterosexual behavior, Sex-purchasing
Background Commercial sex shares a role in HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) transmission. Men who pay for sex (MPS) may transmit HIV/STI to other populations which are low-risk. This study aimed to test our hypothesis that MPS engage in high-risk sexual behaviors associated with HIV/STI transmission more so than non-MPS. Methods This cross-sectional study included heterosexual men who attended an STI clinic between 2003 and 2010. Demographic, clinical, behavioral and laboratory data were compared between MPS and non-MPS to identify factors associated with high-risk sexual behavior and STI-burden. Results Of the first visits of 6156 heterosexual men who attended the STI-clinic during the study period, 1649 (26.7%) were MPS. MPS were more commonly older, married and non-Israeli born compared with non-MPS. MPS were more likely to engage in risk-behaviors associated with HIV/STI-transmission, including a greater number of lifetime sexual partners, substance use and previous STI diagnoses. Determinants associated with STI-diagnoses at the current visit included being non-Israeli born, presenting with STI symptoms, reporting a greater number of lifetime sexual partners and having sexual encounters with non-Israeli individuals. Conclusions Approximately 25% of all men who attended the clinic were MPS. They were more likely to engage in risk-behaviors associated with HIV/STI transmission compared to non-MPS. These findings highlight the need to establish interventions for MPS that both continue to encourage condom use and address the potential perils pertaining to risky sexual behaviors. Keywords: Sexual behavior, Sex-workers, Heterosexual behavior, Sex-purchasing