Abstract
Globally, HIV prevention interventions have proven efficacious among street-based female sex workers (FSWs); yet, there is a dearth of US-based HIV prevention research among this group. The lack of research among FSWs in the USA is partially driven by challenges in recruiting members of this population. The purpose of this research is to describe how targeted sampling was employed to recruit a cohort of street-based FSWs for a study that examined the role of police in shaping the HIV risk environments of street-based FSWs in Baltimore, MD. Our research demonstrates that targeted sampling can be an advantageous strategy for recruiting hidden populations that are mobile and geographically dispersed.
Highlights
Female sex workers (FSWs) experience high rates of HIV and STI infections [1,2,3]
HIV prevention interventions have proven efficacious among FSWs [13,14,15,16,17]; yet, there is a dearth of US-based HIV prevention research among this group
While the development of our targeted sampling (TS) frame parallels those methods used in time location sampling (TLS), they are distinct in that we focused our recruitment efforts in those locations with highest concentrations of sex work activity rather than a random selection of the Buniverse^ of areas of sex work activity
Summary
Female sex workers (FSWs) experience high rates of HIV and STI infections [1,2,3]. Street-based FSWs are at heightened risk for HIVacquisition given their engaging in sex work in the context of extremely unsafe work environments [8,9,10,11,12]. The lack of research among FSWs in the USA is partially driven by challenges in recruiting members of this population. The illegality and associated stigma of sex work in the USA may drive FSWs to be reluctant to engage in research and discuss the contexts of their sex work. Existing HIV studies have primarily employed two methods for recruiting Bhidden^ high-risk populations, targeted sampling (TS) and, more recently, respondent-driven sampling (RDS) [18,19,20]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
