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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Rates of advertised condomless sex in the online profiles of private sex workers: a cross-sectional study

Edjoni Blackledge A , Caroline Thng B , Ruthy McIver B and Anna McNulty B C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.

B Sydney Sexual Health Centre, 8 Macquarie Street, NSW 2000, Australia.

C School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: Anna.Mcnulty@health.nsw.gov.au

Sexual Health 15(1) 86-88 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH17068
Submitted: 23 December 2016  Accepted: 26 May 2017   Published: 23 June 2017

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the level of condomless sex advertised online by private sex workers (PSW) in Sydney. In 2015, 750 online profiles of PSW, including 339 female, 53 male and 39 transgender PSWs, were reviewed. It was found that PSWs advertise protected anal and vaginal sex. However, 50% of female PSW advertised condomless oral sex. Age less than 25 years was associated with advertised condomless oral sex (odds ratio 1.56; 95% confidence interval 1.03–2.37; P = 0.037). Online platforms are widely used for advertising, especially by female PSWs. Levels of condom use advertised reflect that of other studies of sex workers in Sydney.


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