Shannon N Ogden1, Miriam Th Harris2, Ellen Childs3, Pablo K Valente4, Alberto Edeza4, Alexandra B Collins5, Mari-Lynn Drainoni6, Matthew J Mimiaga7, Katie B Biello8, Angela R Bazzi9. 1. Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. 2. Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston MA, USA; Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. 3. Abt Associates, Rockville, MD, USA. 4. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. 5. Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA. 6. Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Evans Center for Implementation and Improvement Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. 7. UCLA Center for LGBTQ Advocacy, Research, and Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA. 8. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA. 9. Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. Electronic address: abazzi@health.ucsd.edu.
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.
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.
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