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The Influence of Drug Consumption on Condom Use and Other Aspects Related to HIV Infection Among Male Sex Workers in Spain

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Abstract

Higher rates of substance use have been associated with unsafe sex behavior. Male sex workers (MSW) present high rates of drug use during or after the professional sexual exchange with clients and also in their leisure. This research describes patterns of drug consumption among MSW in Spain and explores both the effect of substance use on professional and risk sexual behaviors. Participants were 100 agency MSW offering their services in Valencia and Castellón (Spain). Most of them were drug users and the most common substances were “soft drugs” and cocaine. An absence of injection drugs was found. Drug consumers indicated a higher HIV risk perceived and lower perceived influence of substance use on condom use negotiation. Drug influence on condom use is not clear. More investigation about drug influence on sexual risk behaviors among MSW is needed. The role of steady partners and clients must be taken into account too.

Resumen

Un mayor consumo de sustancias se ha asociado al mantenimiento de conductas sexuales de riesgo. Diferentes estudios han puesto de manifiesto altas tasas de consumo entre los Trabajadores Masculinos del Sexo (TMS) durante y después del intercambio sexual con sus clientes, así como en su tiempo libre. Este estudio describe el patrón de consumo de sustancias en los TMS en España y explora el efecto que dicho consumo tiene en las conductas sexuales profesionales y personales de los TMS. Los participantes fueron 100 TMS que ejercían en pisos gestionados por terceras personas en las ciudades de Valencia y Castellón (España). La mayoría consumían drogas, principalmente “drogas blandas” y cocaína. No se encontró consumo de drogas inyectadas. Los TMS consumidores de sustancias indicaron un mayor riesgo de infección por VIH y una menor influencia del consumo de drogas en la negociación del uso del condón. Es necesaria más investigación sobre la influencia del consumo de drogas en el mantenimiento de prácticas sexuales de riesgo. El rol de las parejas no comerciales así como el de los clientes debe ser también tenido en cuenta.

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Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the collaboration of all the Male Sex Workers and their managers and the Col·lectiu Lambda Valencia, particularly Damián Albiach and Marina Valiente.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Basic Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain

    Rafael Ballester-Arnal, Pedro Salmerón-Sánchez & Cristina Giménez-Garcia

  2. Department of Developmental Psychology and Education, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat de València (Estudi General), Avda Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain

    Maria Dolores Gil-Llario

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  1. Rafael Ballester-Arnal
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  2. Pedro Salmerón-Sánchez
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  3. Maria Dolores Gil-Llario
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  4. Cristina Giménez-Garcia
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Correspondence to Rafael Ballester-Arnal.

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Ballester-Arnal, R., Salmerón-Sánchez, P., Gil-Llario, M.D. et al. The Influence of Drug Consumption on Condom Use and Other Aspects Related to HIV Infection Among Male Sex Workers in Spain. AIDS Behav 17, 536–542 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0171-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0171-8

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