The Context of HIV Risk Among Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners

Edinburgh study found greater percentages—13 of 110
(11.8 percent)—and reported that female sex workers (28 of 101, or
27.7 percent) were more likely to be IDUs than males.
TWO STUDIES CONDUCTED IN SAN FRANCISCO
During the period from 1987 through 1991, two different studies of male
sex workers were undertaken in San Francisco. The first study, from
1987 to 1988, interviewed 360 male sex workers. The study was funded
by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and focused on injection
drug use and syringe-sharing practices. The second study was undertaken
between 1989 and 1991 and interviewed 552 male sex workers. This
study was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development. The study focused primarily on condom use but did ask
questions about drug use as well. Neither study sample was random, as
there was not enough information available to use such sampling
methods. Both studies did, however, attempt to include substantial
numbers of all the major types and subtypes of sex workers. It should be
noted that these are the largest samples ever done of male sex workers.
The sampling methodology for the two studies was similar. The
existence of different types of male sex workers was established from
ethnographic studies conducted earlier by one of the project staff, and
interview quotas were established for each type of sex worker. The first
study identified two general types of sex workers and seven subtypes.’
The two general types were hustlers and call men. The first type,
hustlers, solicited clients face-to-face, most often in public places-on the
streets, in bars, and at sex magazine and paraphernalia shops. The second
type solicited clients most often over the telephone; this group is known
as call men.
Among hustlers or workers who solicit clients face-to-face in public
places, there are three subtypes: gay-identified youth, trade hustlers, and
drag queen hustlers.
Gay-identified youth are young, gay-identified males who present
themselves as being innocent and naive in the ways of the world but who
participate in a wide spectrum of sexual activities. A substantial number
of this group are juvenile runaways who generally present themselves as
being adults when confronted by authorities.
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