Rapid assessment of HIV risk behavior in drug using sex workers in three cities in South Africa

Parry, Charles D.H., Dewing, Sarah, Petersen, Petal, Carney, Tara, Needle, Richard, Kroeger, Karen and Treger, Latasha (2009) Rapid assessment of HIV risk behavior in drug using sex workers in three cities in South Africa. AIDS and Behavior, 13 (5). pp. 849-859. ISSN 1090-7165

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Abstract

A rapid assessment was undertaken with drug using commercial sex workers (CSWs) to investigate practices putting them at risk for contracting HIV. It included key informant (KI) (N = 67) and focus group (N = 10) interviews in locations with a high prevalence of drug use in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, South Africa. HIV testing of KIs was conducted. Cocaine, Ecstasy, heroin and methaqualone are used by CSWs prior to, during and after sex. Drugs enhance the sexual experience and prolong sex sessions. Interviews revealed inconsistent condom use among CSWs together with other risky sexual practices such as needle sharing. Among CSWs who agreed to HIV testing, 34% tested positive. Barriers to accessing drug treatment and HIV treatment and preventive services were identified. Interventions recognizing the role of drug abuse in HIV transmission should be prioritized, and issues of access to services, stigma and power relations must be considered.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	drug use,hiv transmission,risk factors,sex work,south africa,social psychology,public health, environmental and occupational health,infectious diseases ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3200/3207
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	05 Mar 2026 10:30
Last Modified:	05 Mar 2026 10:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102217
DOI:	10.1007/s10461-008-9367-3

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