Factors in HIV/AIDS transmission. Hotel Ritz. 
David J Bellis, PhD is professor of public administration and chairman of that department at California State University in San Bernadino, but he is also a former heroin addict. He has been very active over the last 30 years as an academic, as a researcher, as a politician, as a reformer and as a program developer on the issue of drug addition and its treatment and management.
This book has six chapters: introduction to the study, etiology of HIV transmission, heroin and commercial sex work, study methods, comparing Mexican and San Bernardino sex workers, summary with an appendix where you can find the survey questionnaire and an excellent index.
The book is the result of two research projects. One interview study in San Bernadino with 72 female sex workers (FSW) in 1988 and in Mexico (Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Ciudad Victoria, Cuernavaca) during 1996-1999 with 102 FSW. In both studies the interview was on site, where the FSW worked and the interview included 48 questions on demographics, types of sexual behavior, types of clients and number served per day, history of STD and HIV infection, condom use and client attitudes towards condoms, alcohol and other drug dependence, criminal history, knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS.
This study showed marked differences between Mexican and American FSW with a much better situation for FSW in Mexico. The women in Mexico have more monthly medical checkups, have been tested monthly for STD as a legal requirement, have been tested for HIV, have sex with fewer clients and mainly with own race or ethnic group, reported that most customers used condoms and wanted that protection, have condoms in their possession, have dependent children and very little intravenous drug abuse. From the study the author recommend for Mexico to reduce or eliminate prostitute health license fees in order to maximize health surveillence, to educate in schools about STD and AIDS and legalize prostitution in controlled settings. For the United States he recommends better HIV/AIDS/STD prevention and treatment programs, free methadone maintenance for heroin addicts, free needle and syringe exchange programs, decriminalize heroin and reform prostitution laws and legalize prostitution.
This is indeed a very interesting book with a healthy and concerned approach to the "oldest trade" in town, which policy makers and administrators should take seriously.
Professor Joav Merrick, MD
Director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Medical director, Division for Mental Retardation, Box 1260, IL-91012 Jerusalem, Israel, email: jmerrick@internet-zahav.netMohammed Morad, MD
Family physician, Division for Community Health, Ben Gurion University, Box 653, IL-84105 Beer-Sheva, Israel, email: morad-62@barak-online.net
January 06, 2004 | |
