Marseille 2007
Marseille 2007
Abstract book
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Abstract #525  -  Sexual behaviour of men consulting in general medical outpatient clinics in Lausanne, Switzerland, 2005-2006: who are the clients of sex workers ?
Session:
  37.7: Navigating risk and safety (Parallel) on Tuesday @ 14.00-16.00 in Auditorium/Overflow Chaired by Susan M. Kiene, Danuta Kasprzyk
Authors:
  Presenting Author:   Mrs Giovanna Meystre-Agustoni - Institut universitaire de mdecine sociale et prventive, Switzerland
 
  Additional Authors:  Mr Andr Jeannin, Dr Henri-Kim De Heller, Dr Patrick Bodenmann, Prof Alain Pcoud, Dr Franoise Dubois-Arber,  
Aim:
To compare clients of sex workers with other men in an outpatient clinic sample.
 
Method / Issue:
A survey was conducted among all male patients aged 18-70 with a sufficient literacy level attending two main general medical outpatient clinics in Lausanne, Switzerland, from October 2005 to February 2006. Data on sexual behaviour, expectations and experience of sexual history taking by doctors were collected by anonymous self administered questionnaire returned directly to the research team. Bivariate analysis compared clients of commercial sex workers (CSWs) during the last 12 months (=current clients) with other men. Logistic regression was performed to identify characteristics associated with CSWs clients. The response rate was 53% (N=1452).
 
Results / Comments:
13% of respondents reported visiting a CSW during the last 12 months (n=174). Their mean age was 37.6 years, 71% were Swiss; 29% were living with a partner; 21% lived alone, with a partner elsewhere, 50% had no regular partner; 17% had ever had intercourse with a man; 60% considered themselves poorly informed about STIs. During the last 12 months the mean number of partners (no paid and paid sex) was 7.0; 80% had had intercourse with several partners over the same period of time (sexual concurrency); 13% reported an STI symptom. 28% had exposed themselves to HIV risk (non systematic condom use with casual non paid partners or no condom during the last intercourse with a CSW). During the last 12 months, the mean number of occasions of paid intercourse was 4.4 (median 2) with 3 different CSWs (median 2); 6% of clients did not use condoms during last intercourse with a CSW. In multivariate analysis, clients were more likely: to be older in years (1.01-1.07), to live alone (1.09-2.76), to declare concurrency during the last 12 months (7.06-19.43) and to have had more sexual partners during this period (1.01-1.08). They were less likely to ever have had sexual intercourse with a man (0.23-0.73). No differences between clients and other men were observed regarding exposure to HIV risk.
 
Discussion:
A sizeable proportion of patients consulting in outpatient clinics reported paid sex. They are characterized by a high number of concurrent sexual partners. Nevertheless, intercourse with CSWs seems to be protected.
 
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