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The Development of an HIV Risk Environment Scale of Exotic Dance Clubs

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Abstract

Exotic dancers have received little research attention despite evidence of high-risk behaviours within exotic dance clubs (EDCs). We developed and assessed the reliability and validity of a risk environment score, examining differences between dancers (n = 107) and other staff (n = 172). In the summer of 2013, anonymous surveys were administered via A-CASI in EDCs (N = 26) in Baltimore among exotic dancers and staff. Surveys consisted of a brief demographic section followed by 65 statements. The overall domain had an alpha = 0.77 and subdomains had the following: social (alpha = 0.87), economic (alpha = 0.92), drug (alpha = 0.89), and policy (alpha = 0.66). In a factor analysis, each domain contributed significantly to the overall latent construct. The results indicate a high level of HIV/STI risk for dancers in EDCs and underscore the need for targeted interventions in these environments. As we continue to unpack the function of the broader environment in STI/HIV risk transmission, the scale could be instructive for other settings.

Resumen

Existen pocos estudios sobre las bailarinas exóticas a pesar de la evidencia de que tienen comportamientos de alto riesgo dentro de clubes de danza exótica. Desarrollamos una puntuación de riesgo del entorno y evaluamos su validez y confiabilidad al examinar las diferencias entre bailarinas (n = 107) y otro personal (n = 172). En el verano de 2013, bailarinas y otro personal completaron una encuesta anónima en clubes de danza exótica (N = 26) en Baltimore usando la tecnología ACASI. La encuesta constó de una breve sección demográfica y de 65 declaraciones. Calculamos el coeficiente alfa para el dominio global (alfa = 0.77) y para los siguientes subdominios: social (alfa = 0.87), económico (alfa = 0.92), droga (alfa = 0.89) y política (alfa = 0.66). En un análisis factorial, cada dominio contribuyó significativamente al constructo latente global. Los resultados indican que hay un alto nivel de riesgo de VIH/ITS para las bailarinas en clubes de danza exótica y recalcan la necesidad de intervenciones formuladas específicamente para estos lugares. Esta escala podría ser útil para otros lugares a medida que continuemos a determinar la función del entorno más amplio en el riesgo de la transmisión de VIH/ITS.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (5R21DA033855-02; T-32DA007292) and the Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research (1P30AI094189). M.R. Brantley was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (T32 AI050056-12) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (F31 DA038540).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway Street, 749, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Susan G. Sherman & Meredith R. Brantley

  2. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Carla Zelaya & Quyen Duong

  3. Department of Sociology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Ralph B. Taylor

  4. All Children’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Jon M. Ellen

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  1. Susan G. Sherman
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  3. Carla Zelaya
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  4. Quyen Duong
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Correspondence to Susan G. Sherman.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Sherman, S.G., Brantley, M.R., Zelaya, C. et al. The Development of an HIV Risk Environment Scale of Exotic Dance Clubs. AIDS Behav 21, 2147–2155 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-017-1749-y

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