Purpose
Places are an important determinant of risk for sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition and transmission. We sought to identify social places that are critical for targeted STI control activities. The objective of this study was to determine whether sex partner meeting places characterized by drug markets, sex markets and separately, drug and/or sex markets were more likely to have potential core transmitters as compared to other sex partner meeting places in one urban setting.
Methods
In 2008–2009, heterosexual sex partner places or venues were identified in Baltimore, MD using a venue-based study approach.
Results
1,334 participants aged 18–35 years were enrolled at 85 venues. 39 potential core transmitters were identified and 31% of venues had at least one potential core transmitter. In final age- and gender-adjusted models, core transmitters were significantly more likely to be identified at drug markets (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.23, 1.53), sex markets (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.14. 1.41) and drug and/or sex markets (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.32, 1.68).
Conclusions
This study identified key characteristics of venues, such as drug and sex market activity, that may be important in identifying places for the targeted control of STI transmission.