TY - JOUR
T1 - Venue-based affiliation networks and HIV risk-taking behavior among male sex workers
AU - Fujimoto, Kayo
AU - Williams, Mark L.
AU - Ross, Michael W.
PY - 2013/6
Y1 - 2013/6
N2 - Background: This study examined venue-based networks constituted by affiliation with gay bars and street intersections where male sex workers (MSWs) congregate to find their sexual/drug-sharing partners and network influence on risky sexual behavior (e.g., unprotected anal intercourse [UAI]) and HIV infection. Methods: Data collected in 2003 to 2004 in Houston, Texas, consists of 208 MSWs affiliated with 15 gay bars and 51 street intersections. Two-mode network analysis was conducted to examine structural characteristics in affiliation networks, as well as venue-based network influence on UAI and HIV infection. Results: Centralized affiliation patterns were found where only a few venues were popular among MSWs, and these were highly interdependent. Distinctive structural patterns of venue-based clustering were associated with UAI and infection. Individuals who shared venue affiliation with MSWs who engage in UAI were less likely to have UAI themselves. This suggests a downhill effect; that is, individuals compensate for their risk of infection by adjusting their own risk-taking behavior, based on their perceptions of their venue affiliates. Conclusions: Venue-based HIV/AIDs interventions could be tailored to specific venues so as to target specific clusters that are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior.
AB - Background: This study examined venue-based networks constituted by affiliation with gay bars and street intersections where male sex workers (MSWs) congregate to find their sexual/drug-sharing partners and network influence on risky sexual behavior (e.g., unprotected anal intercourse [UAI]) and HIV infection. Methods: Data collected in 2003 to 2004 in Houston, Texas, consists of 208 MSWs affiliated with 15 gay bars and 51 street intersections. Two-mode network analysis was conducted to examine structural characteristics in affiliation networks, as well as venue-based network influence on UAI and HIV infection. Results: Centralized affiliation patterns were found where only a few venues were popular among MSWs, and these were highly interdependent. Distinctive structural patterns of venue-based clustering were associated with UAI and infection. Individuals who shared venue affiliation with MSWs who engage in UAI were less likely to have UAI themselves. This suggests a downhill effect; that is, individuals compensate for their risk of infection by adjusting their own risk-taking behavior, based on their perceptions of their venue affiliates. Conclusions: Venue-based HIV/AIDs interventions could be tailored to specific venues so as to target specific clusters that are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior.
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U2 - 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31829186e5
DO - 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31829186e5
M3 - Article
C2 - 23677019
AN - SCOPUS:84878858438
VL - 40
SP - 453
EP - 458
JO - Sexually Transmitted Diseases
JF - Sexually Transmitted Diseases
SN - 0148-5717
IS - 6
ER -