Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2011 Apr 1;114(2-3):249-52.
doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.10.003. Epub 2010 Nov 19.

Risks associated with crack cocaine smoking among exotic dancers in Baltimore, MD

Susan G Sherman  1 , Jacqueline Reuben, Chris Serio Chapman, Pamela Lilleston
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Risks associated with crack cocaine smoking among exotic dancers in Baltimore, MD

Susan G Sherman et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. .

Abstract

Background: There is a dearth of research focusing on sex work in exotic dance clubs. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the prevalence and correlates of crack cocaine smoking among a sample of exotic dancers.

Methods: The "block," a historical red-light district in downtown Baltimore, MD, is comprised of 30 adult-entertainment establishments. Between 01/09 and 08/09, we conducted a survey with exotic dancers (N=98). The survey explored demographic, and drug and sexual/drug risk behaviors. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted using Poisson regression with robust variance estimates to examine correlates of current crack smoking.

Results: Crack cocaine smokers compared to non-crack cocaine smokers were significantly more likely to report: older age (29 vs. 23 years, respectively, p<0.0001); being White (79% vs. 50%, respectively, p=0.008); having been arrested (93% vs. 67%, respectively, p=0.008); daily alcohol consumption (36% vs. 17%, p=0.047); current heroin injection (57% vs. 13%, p<0.001); and current sex exchange (79% vs. 30%, p<0.001). In the presence of other variables, crack cocaine smokers compared to non-crack cocaine smokers were significantly older, more likely to report current heroin injection, and more likely to report current sex exchange.

Discussion: We found high levels of drug use and sexual risk behaviors as well as a number of risks behaviors associated with crack cocaine smoking among this very under-studied population. Targeted interventions are greatly needed.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Atkinson JS, Williams ML, Timpson SC, Schonnesson LN. Multiple sexual partnerships in a sample of African-American crack smokers. AIDS Behav. 2010;14:48–58. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Behrens T, Taeger D, Wellmann J, Keil U. Different methods to calculate effect estimates in cross-sectional studies. A comparison between prevalence odds ratio and prevalence ratio. Methods Inf Med. 2004;43:505–509. - PubMed
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report 2008. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, GA: 2009.
    1. de Graaf R, van Zessen G, Vanwesenbeeck I, Straver CJ, Visser JH. Segmentation of heterosexual prostitution into various forms: a barrier to the potential transmission of HIV. AIDS Care. 84:417–431. - PubMed
    1. Edlin BR, Irwin KL, Faruque S, McCoy CB, Word C, Serrano Y, Inciardi JA, Bowser BP, Schilling RF, Holmberg SD. Intersecting epidemics--crack cocaine use and HIV infection among inner-city young adults. Multicenter Crack Cocaine and HIV Infection Study Team. N Engl J Med. 1994;331:1422–1427. - PubMed

Publication types