Comparing male escorts' sexual behaviour with their last male client versus non-commercial male partner

Abstract

Apart from research suggesting that male escorts are less likely to have condomless anal sex (CAS) with their male clients compared with male non-clients, little is known about how male escorts' behaviour differs between their clients and non-clients. In spring 2013, 387 Internet-based male escorts completed an online survey that included identical questions about their sexual behaviour with their last male client and male non-client. Encounters with non-commercial partners were significantly more likely to involve a greater range of sexual behaviours, including giving oral sex to partner, kissing, anal receptive sex and sex without condoms. These findings suggest that escorts may display a greater sexual repertoire with non-commercial partners compared to their clients. Encounters with non-commercial partners were also rated as more satisfying than with clients. Condomless anal sex was less common with clients, suggesting that escorts and clients may take active roles in mitigating risks for HIV and STI transmission with each other. Although the modal response for CAS was to abstain, more than half of participants reported CAS during at least one of the two encounters assessed. Behavioural and/or biomedical HIV-prevention strategies would be appropriate for some male escorts to reduce HIV transmission risk.