Social and Structural Factors Associated with HIV Infection among Female Sex Workers Who Inject Drugs in the Mexico-US Border Region

2011

HIV Risks among Female Sex Workers Who Inject Drugs in the Mexico-US Border Region

Sample size: 620 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Strathdee Steffanie A., Lozada Remedios, Martinez Gustavo, Vera Alicia, Rusch Melanie, Nguyen Lucie, Pollini Robin A., Uribe-Salas Felipe, Beletsky Leo, Patterson Thomas L.

Primary Institution: University of California San Diego

Hypothesis

What are the correlates of HIV infection among female sex workers who inject drugs in northern Mexico?

Conclusion

Factors in the social and policy environment, such as injecting drugs with clients and police confiscation of syringes, are more strongly associated with HIV infection than individual-level risk behaviors.

Supporting Evidence

5.3% of participants tested HIV-positive.
HIV-positive women were more likely to have syphilis titers ≥1:8.
Injecting drugs with clients was associated with three-fold higher odds of HIV infection.
Police confiscation of syringes was linked to increased odds of HIV infection.
Women attending needle exchange programs had lower odds of HIV infection associated with active syphilis.

Takeaway

This study found that women who sell sex and use drugs are at high risk for HIV, especially if they inject drugs with clients or have their syringes taken by police.

Methodology

Surveys and HIV/STI testing were conducted among female sex workers who inject drugs, with logistic regression used to identify correlates of HIV infection.