HIV Risk Associated With Gay Bathhouses and Sex Clubs: Findings From Two Seattle Surveys of Factors Related to HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections

In the current research, the authors studied the HIV risk behaviors of patrons of the three commercial sex establishments for men in Seattle. They conducted cross-sectional, observational surveys in 2004 and 2006 by use of time-venue cluster sampling with probability proportional to size. The surveys were anonymous and self-reported. The authors analyzed the 2004 data to identify patron characteristics and predictors of risk behaviors, and they compared the two survey populations.

Among respondents, 14 percent reported a previous HIV-positive test; 14 percent reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI); and 9 percent reported UAI with a partner of unknown or discordant HIV status during the current visit to the commercial sex venue. When analyzed by logistic regression, recent UAI outside a commercial sex venue was independently associated with UAI. At the crude level, sex venue site and patron drug use were strongly associated with UAI. No significant differences were noted between the 2004 and 2006 populations in demographics or behaviors.

"Patron and venue-specific characteristics factors may each influence the frequency of HIV risk behaviors in commercial sex venues," the authors conclude. "Future research should evaluate the effect of structural and individual-level interventions on HIV transmission."

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