Correlates of Transactional Sex Among Black Men and Women Who Misuse Opioids

Authors

Shemeka Thorpe, University of KentuckyFollow
Paige Orphé, University of Kentucky
Gabriella Pitcher, University of Kentucky
Kendall McCleod, University of Kentucky
Natalie Malone, University of KentuckyFollow
Danelle Stevens-Watkins, University of KentuckyFollow

Abstract

The rise in opioid misuse coincides with increased sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV incidence. Transactional sex is an under-researched phenomenon among Black Americans who misuse opioids, and may increase their risk of STI or HIV transmission. Given the disproportionate impact of the opioid epidemic on Black Americans and the risks associated with opioid misuse, the current study aims to investigate sociostructural factors, history of violence, and sexual risk factors associated with transactional sex among Black men and women. A sample of n = 375 Black adult Kentuckians reporting opioid misuse completed a survey including transactional sex, sociostructural, violence history, and sexual risk measures. Results of chi-squares and independent samples t-tests revealed that compared to men who did not report engaging in transactional sex, men who engaged in transactional sex were less educated, reported being sexually assaulted or having an unwanted sexual experience in their lifetime, and were more likely to use opioids or cocaine before or during sex in the last year. Women who engaged in transactional sex had a history of violence, more structural barriers, higher psychological distress, and engaged in more sexual risk behaviors compared to women who did not engage in transactional sex. Implications for future research and interventions with this population are discussed.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

Notes/Citation Information

© 2024 Society for Public Health Education

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1177/10901981231225440

Funding Information

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA; R01-DA049333; PI: Danelle Stevens-Watkins). The content of this manuscript is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Repository Citation

Thorpe, Shemeka; Orphé, Paige; Pitcher, Gabriella; McCleod, Kendall; Malone, Natalie; and Stevens-Watkins, Danelle, "Correlates of Transactional Sex Among Black Men and Women Who Misuse Opioids" (2024). Kinesiology and Health Promotion Faculty Publications. 29.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/khp_facpub/29