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Abstract
Background: We undertook this study to evaluate the factors associated with sex-trade involvement among a cohort of female injection drug users (IDUs).
Methods: We performed a prospective analysis of factors associated with sex-trade involvement among female participants enrolled in a prospective cohort study of Vancouver injection drug users. We examined HIV-status during follow-up and measured time updated social, sex- and drug-related variables relating to activities engaged in during the previous six months. Variables potentially associated with sex-trade involvement were evaluated using generalized estimating equations (GEE) with logit link for binary outcomes.
Results: Between May 1, 1996 and November 30, 2003, 565 participants were recruited into the cohort of whom 336 (59%) reported being involved in the sex-trade at baseline. Factors associated with reporting sex-trade involvement among women in the adjusted model included incarceration, daily injected cocaine use, daily crack use, borrowing syringes, lending syringes, and having sought but been unable to access addiction treatment during the previous six months.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates significant risky sexual and injection behaviours as well as difficulties with access to addiction treatment among female IDUs involved in the sex-trade in Vancouver.