@article{ref1,
title="Short-term interruptions to sex work among a prospective cohort of street-based cisgender female sex workers in Baltimore",
journal="International journal on drug policy",
year="2020",
author="White, Rebecca Hamilton and Park, Ju Nyeong and Galai, Noya and Decker, Michele R. and Allen, Sean T. and Footer, Katherine H. A. and Sherman, Susan G.",
volume="84",
number="",
pages="e102858-e102858",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Street-based female sex workers (FSW) often cycle in and out of sex work engagement. For many FSW, substance use plays a critical role in sex work entry, continuation, and interruptions. We examined individual, interpersonal, and structural correlates of short-term interruptions of sex work among street-based FSW in an urban environment.   METHODS: Data were from 205 FSW in Baltimore, MD, USA followed as part of an observational prospective cohort study between April 2016-Februrary 2018. The primary outcome was short-term interruptions of sex work (stopping sex work) over the past 3 months, asked every 3 months over a 12-month follow-up. We assessed the relationship between individual, structural, and interpersonal factors for each woman's prior visit and current visit with short-term sex work interruptions. We employed modified Poisson regression with Generalized Estimating Equations to identify correlates of short-term interruptions of sex work.   RESULTS: Eighty-two women (40%) reported stopping sex work over the past 3 months at least once during follow-up. Past drug treatment (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 1.40; 95% CI: 1.06-1.86) and not having used drugs in the past 3 months (aIRR 2.70; 95% CI: 1.96-3.71) were positively associated with short-term interruption to sex work. Past intimate partner violence (IPV) (aIRR 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31-0.86) and current homelessness (aIRR 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41-0.91) were negatively associated with short-term interruption. <br><br>RESULTS were inconclusive for the association between recent prostitution arrest and short-term interruptions to sex work (IRR 0.86; 95% CI: 0.40-1.86).   CONCLUSION: The study suggests that similar to other professions, women leave sex work for numerous reasons. Substance use cessation and participation in drug treatment programs may contribute to short-term interruptions of sex work by reducing reliance on sex work for income among street-based FSW. Structural vulnerabilities including homelessness and IPV are driving continued street-based sex work, speaking to the need for holistic structural interventions.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0955-3959",
doi="10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102858",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102858"
}