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  • Title: Alcohol, AIDS risks and commercial sex: some preliminary results from a Scottish study.
    Author: Plant ML, Plant MA, Thomas RM.
    Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend; 1990 Feb; 25(1):51-5. PubMed ID: 2323309.
    Abstract:
    During 1988 self-report data were elicited from a study of 102 male and 103 female sex workers (prostitutes) in Edinburgh. Respondents were contacted by 'snowballing', mostly in licensed premises. This was reflected by high levels of self-reported alcohol and illicit drug use. Respondents reported that both alcohol and illicit drug use were commonplace in relation to their work and that many of their clients were under alcohol or drug effect at the time of contact. Condom use was unrelated to sex workers' alcohol or drug use, but was significantly associated with sex workers' assessments of the proportions of their clients also under the influence of illicit drugs. The preliminary results of an Edinburgh, Scotland, self-report study of alcohol and drug use among 205 prostitutes and 200 of their clients and of the relationship between such drug use and AIDS-related behavior, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge is reported. Data were obtained over from July 1988 to March 1989 through the nonrandom method of snowballing. Information was collected on biographical characteristics; alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use; sexual behavior with clients and lovers; and AIDS-related behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge and use of medical services. A shorter version of the instrument was used for clients. Prostitutes included 102 males (average age 23) and 103 females (average age 26). Limitations are recognized due to underreporting and exaggeration in self-reports of alcohol and drug use, the lack of representativeness of the snowballing method, and number of interviewers (12) involved. Interviewers being known by respondents may deter some of the inaccurate reporting. There is confirmation of the view that many involved in commercial sex are heavy users of alcohol and less commonly illicit drugs, but the analysis of clients is pending. Females were significantly more likely to report illicit drug use. 58.5% of the study group reported having been tested for HIV antibodies. 8.3% were HIV seropositive. 9 refused to disclose their status. Over 75% reported drinking at least sometime during their work and over 33% reported drinking as the usual and constant activity. Licensed premises were used to contact clients. Over 33% reported never using illicit drugs in their work setting, 16.1% reported always or usually using drugs while at work, and 28.3% reported drug use sometimes. Gender showed similarity in alcohol and drug use. 66% reported alcohol consumption in the past week. The average male drinking units were 9 pints of beer. Females reported an average of 7 pints of beer. Consumption of alcohol was higher than among the young British population. 25% were heavy drinkers and exceeded the high risk levels set by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. 75.15 smoked tobacco, 84.4% had at some point smoked marijuana. It was perceived equally by males and females that 55-60% of clients were under the influence of alcohol and 31-33% under the influence of drugs. Condom use was found by women to be inversely related to the proportion of clients perceived to be under the influence of illicit drugs. Health education should take into account alcohol and drug use and AIDS risk.
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