High Risk Health Behaviors and Healthcare Access Among Female Adult Entertainment Club Employees

Background: Prior studies of adult entertainment club employees have been qualitative and lacked information regarding a range of important health factors. Methods: Sixty-nine female club employees completed a computer-assisted survey on healthcare access and health behaviors. An age-matched comparison sample was obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Researchers calculated descriptive characteristics and developed multivariable logistic regression models to provide the adjusted odds of health factors. Results: In the combined study sample, the mean age was 28.5 years; 75% were white, 20% Hispanic/Latino; 58% were single; 46% had at least one child. Compared to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System sample, significantly fewer club employees had health insurance or a primary care provider, and more reported not seeing a physician due to cost. Club employees had significantly higher adjusted odds of smoking (aOR 4.38, 95% CI 1.13-16.88), high-risk drinking (aOR 5.68, 95% CI 1.73-18.67), HIV risk factors (aOR 4.91, 95% CI 1.26-28.2), and lower odds of HIV testing (aOR 0.10, 95% CI 0.04-0.27) than the comparison group. Conclusions: Compared to a national sample of women, more club employees reported high-risk drinking and HIV risk behaviors, and fewer reported HIV testing and access to healthcare. Adult club employees may benefit from interventions to reduce harmful behaviors and increase healthcare access.