Conditional Economic Incentives to Reduce HIV Risks among Male Sex Workers: Baseline Results from a Randomized Pilot in Mexico

Omar Galarraga, Brown University
Sandra Sosa-Rubi, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP)
Carlos Conde, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP)
Luis Juarez-Figueroa, Clinica Condesa
Andrea Gonzalez, Clinica Condesa
Sergio Bautista-Arredondo, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP)
Caroline Kuo, Brown University
Don Operario, Brown University
Kenneth Mayer, Brown University

This is a pilot with conditional economic incentives (CEI) to increase self-protection and health-care-seeking behaviors among male sex workers (MSW). We present baseline results for MSW, ages 18-30, recruited in Mexico City (n=210). Following baseline assessments, participants were randomized into: control, treatment 1 and treatment 2. Treatment 1 (n=70) receive a conditional incentive ($500 pesos/each time) only if they are free of STIs at months 6 and 12. Treatment 2 (n=70) receive high incentive ($1000 pesos/each time) only if they are free of STIs at months 6 and 12. Controls (n=70) do not receive any CEI even if they are free of STIs at months 6 and 12. However, everyone will receive inconvenience fee ($100 pesos/each time at baseline, month 6 and month 12). After randomization there was a standard 3-hour intensive workshop, and a 15 min. counseling session after receipt of baseline STI results for all participants.