Male sex workers: between safe sex and risk. Ethnography in a gay sauna in Barcelona, Spain

Author, as appears in the article.: Jacques-Avino, Constanza; de Andres, Anna; Roldan, Llanos; Fernandez-Quevedo, Manuel; de Olalla, Patricia Garcia; Diez, Elia; Romani, Oriol; Cayla, Joan A

Department: Antropologia, Filosofia i Treball Social

URV's Author/s: Romaní Alfonso, José Oriol

Keywords: Young adult; Unsafe sex; Substance-related disorders; Steam bath; Spain; Social support; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sex workers; Sex work; Sauna; Safe sex; Qualitative research; Population; Number; Men; Masculinity; Male; Interpersonal relations; Humans; Homosexuality, male; Hiv infections; Hiv; Heterosexuality; Health; Gender; Ethnography; Behaviors; Anthropology, cultural; Adult

Abstract: This ethnography was conducted in Barcelona, a city that provides different gay leisure resources, such as gay saunas. We aimed to analyze from studies on gender and masculinities, how sexuality, perception of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and preventive measures are articulated in gay sauna male sex workers (MSW). Ten in-depth interviews and observation were conducted between 2012 and 2016. Safe sex practices are more frequent with clients, while risk practices are carried out more with non-commercial partners. Sexual orientation plays an important role. Homosexuals assume riskier practices in sex work than heterosexuals. Drug use or lack of support networks were associated with higher social vulnerability and risk behaviors. Contracting HIV still creates fear, while having other STIs is perceived as part of a man's sexual life. The MSW affirms masculinity with concurrent sexual partners, breadwinner, and on the other hand, questions a heteronormative model. Interventions for the prevention of HIV and STIs in this group should consider social determinants such as inferior work alternatives and the provision of more significant social support.

Thematic Areas: Zootecnia / recursos pesqueiros; Sociologia i política; Sociología; Serviço social; Saúde coletiva; Química; Public, environmental & occupational health; Public health, environmental and occupational health; Psicología; Planejamento urbano e regional / demografia; Odontología; Nutrição; Medicine (miscellaneous); Medicina veterinaria; Medicina iii; Medicina ii; Medicina i; Matemática / probabilidade e estatística; Linguística e literatura; Letras / linguística; Interdisciplinar; Historia; Health policy; Geografía; Geociências; General medicine; Filosofia/teologia:subcomissão teologia; Filosofia/teologia:subcomissão filosofia; Filosofía; Farmacia; Ensino; Engenharias iv; Engenharias iii; Engenharias ii; Engenharias i; Enfermagem; Educação física; Educação; Economia; Direito; Ciencias sociales; Ciências sociais aplicadas i; Ciências biológicas iii; Ciências biológicas ii; Ciências biológicas i; Ciências ambientais; Ciências agrárias i; Ciência política e relações internacionais; Ciência de alimentos; Ciência da computação; Biotecnología; Biodiversidade; Astronomia / física; Arquitetura, urbanismo e design; Arquitetura e urbanismo; Antropologia / arqueologia; Administração, ciências contábeis e turismo; Administração pública e de empresas, ciências contábeis e turismo

licence for use: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/

Author's mail: oriol.romani@urv.cat

Record's date: 2025-03-08

Paper version: info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Link to the original source: https://www.scielo.br/j/csc/a/8skbBjLXGxDxrBM7zCD9xKS/?lang=es

Licence document URL: https://repositori.urv.cat/ca/proteccio-de-dades/

Paper original source: Ciencia & Saude Coletiva. 24 (12): 4707-4716

APA: Jacques-Avino, Constanza; de Andres, Anna; Roldan, Llanos; Fernandez-Quevedo, Manuel; de Olalla, Patricia Garcia; Diez, Elia; Romani, Oriol; Cayla, Jo (2019). Male sex workers: between safe sex and risk. Ethnography in a gay sauna in Barcelona, Spain. Ciencia & Saude Coletiva, 24(12), 4707-4716. DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320182412.27842017

Article's DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320182412.27842017

Entity: Universitat Rovira i Virgili

Journal publication year: 2019

Publication Type: Journal Publications