ALCOHOL AND DRUG-USE IN HETEROSEXUAL AND HOMOSEXUAL PROSTITUTION, ANDITS RELATION TO PROTECTION BEHAVIOR

To assess the prevalence and effects of alcohol and drug use in hetero sexual and homosexual commercial contacts, and the relationship betwee n their use and unsafe sexual behaviour, 127 female prostitutes, 27 ma le prostitutes, 91 clients of female prostitutes and 24 clients of mal e prostitutes were interviewed face-to-face with the help of a semi-st ructured questionnaire. The respondents were living or working in diff erent parts of The Netherlands. Alcohol and drug use was found to be r elatively common among prostitutes. This was also so for the use of al cohol by clients, though to a lesser extent. Prostitutes' consumption varied widely according to the type of prostitution they were employed in. Those meeting their clients in clubs or bars reported the highest consumption of alcohol; hard drugs were used predominantly by street prostitutes. It appears that the main effects of alcohol and drug use are on how the individual experiences working as, or calling on, a pro stitute, the social interaction between the two parties, and the sexua l contact itself. The common assumption that drinking alcohol has nega tive effects on condom use was not borne out; though female prostitute s working under the influence of drugs were significantly more likely to report unsafe sex. The degree to which commercial partners were jud ged to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs was not found to bea r upon the frequency of respondents' condom use. For those prostitutes who use hard drugs, this use plays an important role in their engagin g in unsafe sexual activities. Prevention activities should focus espe cially on this group, and should take into account the role of such dr ug use.