AEGiS-15IAC: Risk of HIV infection among male sex workers in Spain.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

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Risk of HIV infection among male sex workers in Spain.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. WeOrC1333)

del Romero J
Centro Sanitario Sandoval, Madrid, Spain

OBJECTIVE: Most of the HIV studies and preventive programmes directed towards commercial sex workers have centred on women. Male sex workers are neither visible nor easy to access. We aim to assess HIV prevalence and predictive factors for this infection among male sex workers in Spain.

METHODS: This study analysed all male sex workers attending HIV testing clinics in 19 Spanish cities in 2000-2002. The information was obtained in the consultation using a brief questionnaire. Blood specimens were tested for HIV by EIA, and reactive sera were confirmed by Western blot or immunoflorescence. For repeatedly testers only the last confirmed result was taken into account.

RESULTS: A total of 418 male sex workers were analysed, 58% attended these clinics for first time and 42% were repeated testers. Average age was 29.2 (SD=7.3), 67% had an origin country other than Spain, most of them from Latin America (91%). 96.2% declared having sex with men, 7.2% having had sexual intercourse with a person they knew to be infected with HIV and 3.3% having injected drugs, a behaviour which was commoner amongst Spaniards (9.2%) than in Latin Americans (0.8%; p<0.01). Seventy-six (18.2%) transvestites or transsexual males were identified, of which 40% were Spaniards and 59% Latin Americans. HIV prevalence was 12.2% (95% CI, 9.3-15.8%), rising to 16.9% among first time testers. The highest HIV prevalence was found among men who knew to have a HIV-infected partner (20.0%). Differences in HIV prevalence were not found in injecting drug users, transvestites/transsexuals, and men from other origin countries. Conclusion Male prostitution should be the target of specific attention of preventive activities. Preventive and health care strategies culturally adapted to migrants are required.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Prevalence, Prostitution, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, HIV Seropositivity, Sexual Behavior, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Spain, Latin America, Humans, Male, Female

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WeOrC1333

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.