Prostitutes and AIDS: Public Policy Issues (From AIDS: The Impact on the Criminal Justice System, P 91-100, 1990, Mark Blumberg, ed. -- See NCJ-122746)

• NCJ Number: 122752
• Author(s): J Cohen; P Alexander; C Wofsky
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Merrill Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from AIDS and Public Policy Journal, V 3, N 2 (1988), P 16-22

Annotation

The available evidence on HIV in prostitutes in the United States suggests that HIV is much more likely to be transmitted to prostitutes than from them and that prostitutes are not a significant source of the transmission of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Abstract

The rate of positive HIV tests among prostitutes parallels the rate among intravenous drug users in their communities. Almost all prostitutes who have tested positive or who have been diagnosed with AIDS have had a history of intravenous drug use. It is recommended that local, State, and Federal funds be allocated for educational programs directed at prostitutes, especially the street prostitutes, who have a higher prevalence of intravenous drug use than do other prostitutes. In addition, funding should be increased for drug and alcohol treatment for women, especially women with children. Other needed measures include job training and other transitional programs for those who no longer want to work as prostitutes. However, mandatory testing of prostitutes and increased penalties for those who test positive are not recommended, because they would be ineffective and costly. Table and 21 reference notes.