A sample of 211 male street prostitutes were interviewed and tested for antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Based on the constructs of the Health Belief Model, subjects' perceptions of susceptibility to HIV infection, severity of HIV infection, benefit to engagement in preventive health behavior to avoid infection, and barriers to the reduction of HIV-related risk behaviors were examined. Serological data from the study confirms an HIV point prevalence rate of (175 per 1,000) among the sample. Sexual behaviors associated with increased risk of HIV infection were, engagement in anal sex and oral-genital sex, history of syphilis, and a self-defined sexual orientation of homosexual Based on previous research and the theoretical framework suggested by the Health Belief Model, it was expected that increased HIV-related risk behavior among the male street prostitutes would be inversely related to perceived severity of HIV infection, perceived susceptibility to HIV infection and perceived benefit to prevention of HIV infection and positively related to an increased perception of barriers to preventive health behavior. The findings partially support this model. Increases in perceived susceptibility and benefit to HIV prevention were significantly related to reduced risk. However, prostitutes' level of perceived severity of HIV infection was not significantly associated with risk behavior. Three lifestyle factors were found to function as barriers to engaging in risk reduction behavior. Subjects who were more economically dependent on prostitution, perceived less control over the hustling encounter and reported increased pleasure from sexual activity with their customers were more likely to engage in HIV-related risk behaviors. The data suggest that male prostitutes engage in numerous unprotected sexual acts placing them at high risk for not only the acquisition of HIV infection but the transmission of HIV to other partners. Further research focusing on HIV-related risk behaviors of both male prostitutes and their customers is recommended. Utilization of the findings from this study in the design and implementation of future HIV-related preventive health education programs is discussed / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_26542 |
| Date | January 1990 |
| Contributors | Simon, Patricia Murray (Author), Smith, M. Dwayne (Thesis advisor) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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