Substance Use among Female Sex Workers in Two US-Mexico Border Cities: Associations with Age of Entry

Abstract

Background: Research has documented consistent associations between entry into sex work as a minor and sexual HIV risk. However, previous studies have not examined whether substance use and related HIV risk are elevated among those who enter sex work under age 18. Methods: Quantitative data were collected via time-location sampling of 603 female sex workers (FSWs) ages 18 years and older residing in two Mexico-US border cities. Age of entry into sex work (categorized as 15 years or younger, 16–17 years, or 18 years and older) was assessed as a predictor of substance use (forced and voluntary) within the first month post-entry and recent (past 30 days) substance use with clients. Results: Compared to those who entered as adults, participants who entered sex work at age 15 or younger were significantly more likely to report drug use (AOR = 5.2, CI = 2.9–8.9) and forced drug use within the first 30 days of entry (AOR= 6.0, CI = 1.9–18.9), as well as past month drug use with clients (AOR= 3.4, CI = 1.9–5.8). Similar results were found among participants who entered sex work at age 16–17. Conclusions: Increased risk of recent substance use with clients indicates continuing elevated risk for those entering sex work at these early ages. Early and forced substance use at entry may underlie the elevated risk of HIV infection consistently observed among this population.

Keywords:

• Substance use
• underage entry
• sex work
• US-Mexico border
• HIV risk

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01-DA028692 PI: Brouwer, R01-DA033194 01A1 PI: Silverman, and T32 DA023356). Preliminary study findings have been presented at the 2016 National Institute on Drug Abuse Conference.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.