What Kinds of Workshops do Internet-Based Male Escorts Want? Implications for Prevention and Health Promotion

Grov, Christian; Rodríguez-Díaz, Carlos E.; Ditmore, Melissa Hope; Restar, Arjee; Parsons, Jeffrey T.

doi:10.1007/s13178-014-0151-z

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…These characteristics are similar to those described in other North American Internet-based sex work research [27,44] and in direct contrast to research situated in street-based marketplaces that demonstrate higher numbers of Indigenous, Black, and Hispanic people aged over 30 years and diverse financial arrangements where fees charged are amount per service with much lower income potential [25,45]. As expected, the snapshot of the Internet-based sex industry captured in these 75 advertisements also indicates that men, women, and trans-sex workers provide services almost exclusively to male clients.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

A Content Analysis of Health and Safety Communications Among Internet-Based Sex Work Advertisements: Important Information for Public Health

Kille¹,

Bungay²,

Oliffe³

et al. 2017

J Med Internet Res

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BackgroundThe capacity to advertise via the Internet continues to contribute to the shifting dynamics in adult commercial sex work. eHealth interventions have shown promise to promote Internet-based sex workers’ health and safety internationally, yet minimal attention has been paid in Canada to developing such interventions. Understanding the information communicated in Internet-based sex work advertisements is a critical step in knowledge development to inform such interventions.ObjectiveThe purpose of this content analysis was to increase our understanding of the health and safety information within the Internet advertisements among women, men, and transgender sex workers and to describe how this information may be utilized to inform eHealth service development for this population.MethodsA total of 75 Internet-based sex worker advertisements (45 women, 24 men, and 6 transgender persons) were purposefully selected from 226 advertisements collected as part of a larger study in Western Canada. Content analysis was employed to guide data extraction about demographic characteristics, sexual services provided, service restrictions, health practices and concerns, safety and security, and business practices. Frequencies for each variable were calculated and further classified by gender. Thematic analysis was then undertaken to situate the communications within the social and commercialized contexts of the sex industry.ResultsFour communications themes were identified: (1) demographic characteristics; (2) sexual services; (3) health; and (4) safety and security. White was the most common ethnicity (46/75, 61%) of advertisements. It was found that 20-29 years of age accounted for 32 of the 51 advertisements that provided age. Escort, the only legal business title, was the most common role title used (48/75, 64%). In total, 85% (64/75) of advertisements detailed lists of sexual services provided and 41% (31/75) of advertisements noted never offering uncovered services (ie, no condom). Gender and the type of Web-based platform mattered for information communicated. It was found that 35 of the 45 women’s advertisements were situated in personal websites and hosted details about nonsexual aspects of an appointment. Men and transworkers used Internet classified advertisement platforms with predetermined categories. Communications about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occurred in only 16% (12/75) of advertisements with men accounting for 7. Women’s advertisements accounted for 26 of the 37 advertisements noting safety restrictions. Zero men or transpersons restricted alcohol or drug use. In total, 75% (56/75) of advertisements offered out-call services and the average minimal hourly rate ranged from Can $140/h to Can $200/h.ConclusionsThe study findings contribute to understandings about the diverse platforms used in commercial sex advertisements, and how sex workers frame information for potential clients. This information affords health care providers and policy makers insights to how they might assist with promoting ...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

A Content Analysis of Health and Safety Communications Among Internet-Based Sex Work Advertisements: Important Information for Public Health

Kille¹,

Bungay²,

Oliffe³

et al. 2017

J Med Internet Res

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“…This includes using the Internet to identify and enroll participants for facilitated assessments (Bauermeister, Carballo-Dieguez, Ventuneac, & Dolezal, 2009; Carballo-Diéguez et al, 2011; Grov, Agyemang, Ventuneac, & Breslow, 2013; Grov, Rendina, & Parsons, 2014; Hernandez-Romieu et al., 2014; Hightow-Weidman et al, 2015; Hirshfield, Remien, Humberstone, Walavalkar, & Chiasson, 2004; Lelutiu-Weinberger et al, 2014; Mitchell & Petroll, 2013; Pachankis, Rendina, Ventuneac, Grov, & Parsons, 2014; Parsons, Vial, Starks, & Golub, 2013; Vial, Starks, & Parsons, 2014, 2015), identify and enroll participants for facilitated interventions (Adam et al, 2011; Khosropour, Johnson, Ricca, & Sullivan, 2013; Martinez et al, 2014; Parsons et al., 2013; Whiteley et al, 2012), conducting fully online studies (i.e. assessments and recruitment) (Adam et al, 2011; Bull, Lloyd, Rietmeijer, & McFarlane, 2004; Carpenter, Stoner, Mikko, Dhanak, & Parsons, 2009; Chiasson et al, 2005; Chiasson, Shuchat Shaw, Humberstone, Hirshfield, & Hartel, 2009; Christensen et al, 2013; Coleman et al, 2010; Gass, Hoff, Stephenson, & Sullivan, 2012; Greacen et al, 2013; Grov, Rendina, Breslow, et al, 2014; Grov, Rendina, Ventuneac, & Parsons, 2013; Grov, Rodriguez-Diaz, Ditmore, Restar, & Parsons, 2014; Hirshfield et al, 2010; Hirshfield, Grov, Parsons, Anderson, & Chiasson, 2015; Hirshfield et al, 2008; Holloway, Rice, et al, 2014; Jain & Ross, 2008; Marcus, Hickson, Weatherburn, & Schmidt, 2013; Matthews, Stephenson, & Sullivan, 2012; Mitchell & Petroll, 2012; Mustanski, Greene, Ryan, & Whitton, 2015; Mustanski, Rendina, Greene, Sullivan, & Parsons, 2014; Navejas, Neaigus, Torian, & Murrill, 2012; Oldenburg et al, 2015; Reece et al, 2010; Rendina, Breslow, et al, 2014; Rendina, Jimenez, Grov, Ventuneac, & Parsons, 2014; Rosenberg, Rothenberg, Kleinbaum, Stephenson, & Sullivan, 2013; Rosenmann & Safir, 2007; Rosser et al, 2009; Rosser et al, 2010; Sharma, Sullivan, & Khosropour, 2011; Siegler, Sullivan, Khosropour, & Rosenberg, 2013; Sineath et al, 2013; …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Others have enrolled diverse samples across the U.S. identified, either entirely or at least in part, via partnerships with gay sexual networking (i.e., hook up) websites and mobile device applications (apps) (Bull et al, 2004; Burrell et al, 2012; Carpenter et al, 2009; Chiasson et al, 2009; Delaney, Kramer, Waller, Flanders, & Sullivan, 2014; Grov, Rendina, Breslow, et al, 2014; Grov, Rendina, et al, 2013; Grov, Rodriguez-Diaz, et al, 2014; Hirshfield et al, 2010; Khosropour et al, 2013; Lelutiu-Weinberger et al, 2014; Oldenburg et al, 2015; Rendina, Breslow, et al, 2014; Rosenberg et al, 2013; Siegler et al, 2013; Sineath et al, 2013). In so doing, researchers have advertised on websites (via banner or pop-up ads), or partnered with website owners such that websites directly contacted their membership inviting them to participate in a study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recruiting a US National Sample of HIV-Negative Gay and Bisexual Men to Complete at-Home Self-Administered HIV/STI Testing and Surveys: Challenges and Opportunities

et al. 2015

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We describe enrollment for the One Thousand Strong panel, present characteristics of the panel relative to other large U.S. national studies of gay and bisexual men (GBM), and examine demographic and behavioral characteristics that were associated with passing enrollment milestones. A U.S. national sample of HIV-negative men were enrolled via an established online panel of over 22,000 GBM. Participants (n = 1071) passed three milestones to join our panel. Milestone 1 was screening eligible and providing informed consent. Milestone 2 involved completing an hour-long at-home computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) survey. Milestone 3 involved completing at-home self-administered rapid HIV testing and collecting/returning urine and rectal samples for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing. Compared to those who completed milestones: those not passing milestone 1 were more likely to be non-White and older; those not passing milestone 2 were less likely to have insurance or a primary care physician; and those not passing milestone 3 were less educated, more likely to be bisexual as opposed to gay, more likely to live in the Midwest, had fewer male partners in the past year, and less likely to have tested for HIV in the past year. Effect sizes for significant findings were small. We successfully enrolled a national sample of HIV-negative GBM who completed at-home CASI assessments and at-home self-administered HIV and urine and rectal STI testing. This indicates high feasibility and acceptability of incorporating self-administered biological assays into otherwise fully online studies. Differences in completion of study milestones indicate a need for further investigation into the reasons for lower engagement by certain groups.

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“…14,25 Within the population of MSM, male sex workers (MSWs) experience heightened HIV risk due to sexual and substance use behaviors, socioeconomic disparities, STIs, social stigma, and limited opportunities for condom use with clients. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] Studies of MSWs in North America have identified HIV prevalence ranging from 5 to 31 %, with estimates exceeding prevalence among MSM generally. 33 Many MSWs may not self-identify as gay/bisexual men or sex workers, which can limit the reach of HIV-related programming and services intended for these communities.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Qualitative Study of Medical Mistrust, Perceived Discrimination, and Risk Behavior Disclosure to Clinicians by U.S. Male Sex Workers and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men: Implications for Biomedical HIV Prevention

et al. 2015

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Access to biomedical HIV prevention technologies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) requires individuals to disclose risk behavior to clinicians, but experiences of discrimination and medical mistrust may limit disclosure among male sex workers and other MSM. We explored experiences of perceived discrimination, medical mistrust, and behavior disclosure among male sex workers compared to other men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted 56 interviews with MSM and compared findings about medical mistrust, discrimination, and disclosure for 31 men who engaged in sex work vs. 25 men who did not. MSM who engaged in sex work reported more medical mistrust and healthcare discrimination due to issues beyond MSM behavior/identity (e.g., homelessness, substance use, poverty). MSM who did not report sex work described disclosing sex with men to clinicians more often. Both subgroups reported low PrEP awareness, but willingness to disclose behavior to obtain PrEP. Medical mistrust and perceived discrimination create barriers for sexual behavior disclosure to clinicians, potentially impeding access to PrEP and other forms of biomedical HIV prevention. These barriers may be higher among male sex workers compared to other MSM, given overlapping stigmas including sex work, substance use, homelessness, and poverty. An intersectionality framework for understanding multiple stigmas can help to identify how these dynamics may limit access to biomedical HIV prevention among male sex workers, as well as suggesting strategies for addressing stigmas to improve the delivery of PrEP and other HIV prevention approaches in this population.

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What Kinds of Workshops do Internet-Based Male Escorts Want? Implications for Prevention and Health Promotion

Cited by 18 publications

References 23 publications

A Content Analysis of Health and Safety Communications Among Internet-Based Sex Work Advertisements: Important Information for Public Health

A Content Analysis of Health and Safety Communications Among Internet-Based Sex Work Advertisements: Important Information for Public Health

Recruiting a US National Sample of HIV-Negative Gay and Bisexual Men to Complete at-Home Self-Administered HIV/STI Testing and Surveys: Challenges and Opportunities

A Qualitative Study of Medical Mistrust, Perceived Discrimination, and Risk Behavior Disclosure to Clinicians by U.S. Male Sex Workers and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men: Implications for Biomedical HIV Prevention

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