Venues, Patrons, and Alcohol Use Dynamics: The Creation of a High Risk Sexual Environment

Abstract

Venue-based HIV prevention interventions, especially in sex on premise venues, can disrupt high-risk sexual networks. However, prior to intervening, it is essential to understand the person-venue dynamics that contribute to HIV risk. As such, we conducted five ethnographic observations at each of six venues where alcohol is sold and sex occurs onsite (2 each porn theaters, sex clubs, and dance clubs) frequented by gay and other men who have sex with men (G&MSM) in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. Alcohol use, sexual behavior, and person-venue dynamics differed markedly across venue types. In dance clubs, substantial alcohol consumption often preceded visits to the darkroom for sex which, at times, included unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse. Condoms, although available, were not easily accessible. HIV prevention messaging was generally non-existent. These venues are in critical need of interventions to reduce HIV transmission risk.

Reducing HIV Risks in the Places Where People Drink: Prevention Interventions in Alcohol Venues

“…The results showed a convergence such that venues with the greatest structural risks were most likely to have high population-mixing between locals and tourists, who in turn engaged in the riskiest behaviors. In a different study of six alcohol venues in Buenos Aires, Argentina, researchers conducted five ethnographic observations in each of the venues to richly and comprehensively characterize each place across different dates, patrons, and activities (110). The ethnographers collected information about the area surrounding the venue, characteristics of clientele, personnel and interactions with patrons, areas for alcohol consumption and sexual behavior onsite, condom availability, HIV prevention materials, and other information about events that took place in the venue.…”

Social venues and HIV vulnerability of young venue workers: a cluster analysis of data from a national-level cross-sectional survey of social venues in Uganda

“…Relatedly, other studies have assessed availability of HIV preventive interventions at venues for social interaction and provided a case for support for venue-based HIV programmes 2 30–32. However, no previous studies identified clusters of high-risk venues despite evidence showing varying prevalence of risky behaviours and availability of HIV prevention programmes in these venues 33. Notably, certain aspects of the physical environment of these venues attract different types of customers and workers.…”

Public Drinking Venues as Risk Environments: Commercial Sex, Alcohol and Violence in a Large Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya

“…To construct such programs, ethnographic studies of African bars are critically needed to understand the context, as well as the patterning, of sexual and physical health risks. Examples of such studies from other regions highlight drinking establishment diversity and relate this to intervention/education program feasibility (Balan et al 2014). To accomplish this in sub-Saharan Africa will necessitate additional studies in urban and rural, poor and wealthy, settings.…”