HIV Infection Amongst Boston Male Sex Workers...

[bcohen7719]

New study...

 

BC

 

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/nih-awards-254k-study-workforce-safety-male-prostitutes-boston

[AdamSmith]

Will be interesting to see the results.

 

Meanwhile, would have been useful for them to report the sample size of the "previous study of male sex workers in Boston (which) found that 'almost one-third (31%) were HIV-infected,'" sample size being relevant to statistical significance of the results.

 

Also, in light of that statement, hard to understand the article's later assertion that "Researchers say no statistics specifically exist concerning the HIV/AIDS rate among Boston's 'important sub-population' of male prostitutes." Which is it?

[bostonman]

Will be interesting to see the results.

 

Meanwhile, would have been useful for them to report the sample size of the "previous study of male sex workers in Boston (which) found that 'almost one-third (31%) were HIV-infected,'" sample size being relevant to statistical significance of the results.

 

Also, in light of that statement, hard to understand the article's later assertion that "Researchers say no statistics specifically exist concerning the HIV/AIDS rate among Boston's 'important sub-population' of male prostitutes." Which is it?

 

I'm thinking that the article may have interpreted the project report incorrectly, though to be fair I think it's an issue of unclear wording in that NIH report. The article links to it, but I'm including it here:

 

http://projectreporter.nih.gov/project_info_description.cfm?aid=8601240&icde=16621845

 

To quote, "4. This proposal builds on our formative work with MSM sex workers in Boston, which revealed that the majority (69%) reported at least one episode of unprotected serodiscordant anal sex (either insertive or receptive) with a mean of 11 (SD=42) male sex partners of different HIV serostatus, and an average of 46 (SD=65) total sex work partners in the past 12 months. 5. Almost one third (31%) were HIV-infected, and most (84%) had a steady male or female partner, thus the risk for HIV-infection/transmission is not only to/from their sex work clients but also to/from their primar [sic] partners"

 

The way I read it, it's not clear whether point #5 refers to the workers, or the clients ("male sex partners" and "sex work partners" as they are called here) - I think it could be referring to the latter. And if so, that explains the discrepancy Adam mentions above.

[seeker630]

Will be interesting to see the results.

 

Meanwhile, would have been useful for them to report the sample size of the "previous study of male sex workers in Boston (which) found that 'almost one-third (31%) were HIV-infected,'" sample size being relevant to statistical significance of the results.

 

Also, in light of that statement, hard to understand the article's later assertion that "Researchers say no statistics specifically exist concerning the HIV/AIDS rate among Boston's 'important sub-population' of male prostitutes." Which is it?

 

According to the project description, the sample size for the earlier study (by the same researchers) was 32.

[JT Brooklyn]

After all the printed materials have been read..Bottom Line Play Safe or don't Play!

[BaronArtz]

According to the project description, the sample size for the earlier study (by the same researchers) was 32.

 

So, if I understand correctly, the NIH is spending $253,000 to research 32 escorts or 'sex workers'. That's rougly $8,000 per escort. Think of how many escorts you could have HIRED for that amount of money ...

[AdamSmith]

According to the project description, the sample size for the earlier study (by the same researchers) was 32.

 

Thanks for digging that out. Little need to go to the attic for the statistics handbook, then: N=32 in that past study would have been pretty close to 100% of the MSM sex workers active in Boston, I think.

 

So, if I understand correctly, the NIH is spending $253,000 to research 32 escorts or 'sex workers'. That's rougly $8,000 per escort. Think of how many escorts you could have HIRED for that amount of money ...

 

The project description says this new study will seek to follow 140 MSM sex workers in Massachusetts.

 

I look forward to seeing if they can find that many.

[uwsman2]

I suspect we have a limited view of the number of male escorts in Boston, since we would only see those who are looking for male clients advertising in the usual places with which we are familiar. I imagine there are also male escorts in the Boston area who specialize in female clients...

[seeker630]

I suspect we have a limited view of the number of male escorts in Boston, since we would only see those who are looking for male clients advertising in the usual places with which we are familiar. I imagine there are also male escorts in the Boston area who specialize in female clients...

 

True, but this study is concerned only with MSM sex workers.

[AdamSmith]

I also tend to think, based admittedly on impressions and anecdotals, that the population of male sex workers for women is rather smaller than that of male sex workers serving men. That is founded a good bit on the experiences, and reports of limited choice in the market, by women friends who hire.

 

Others' estimates of this ratio would be interesting to know.