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Occupational safety researchers have increasingly recognized the important influence of social and structural factors on safety perception and behaviors in occupational settings. This qualitative study was conducted to explore the nature of the safety climate of exotic dance clubs in Baltimore, Maryland and the mechanisms through which this sexual geography informs dancers' perceptions of safety and experience of sex work. Structured observations and semi-structured qualitative interviews (N=40) were conducted with club dancers, doormen, managers, and bartenders from May through August, 2009. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach whereby themes emerged from the data itself. Atlas-ti was used for data analysis. Perceptions of safety within exotic dance clubs were born from an interplay between the physical, social, and symbolic environments. These perceptions were closely tied to dancers' construction of sex work inside versus outside the club. Understanding the contextual factors, which influence how dancers understand and prioritize risk in their work settings, is crucial for creating policies and programs, which effectively reduce risk in this environment., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: There is a dearth of research focusing on sex work in exotic dance clubs. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the prevalence and correlates of crack cocaine smoking among a sample of exotic dancers., Methods: The "block," a historical red-light district in downtown Baltimore, MD, is comprised of 30 adult-entertainment establishments. Between 01/09 and 08/09, we conducted a survey with exotic dancers (N=98). The survey explored demographic, and drug and sexual/drug risk behaviors. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted using Poisson regression with robust variance estimates to examine correlates of current crack smoking., Results: Crack cocaine smokers compared to non-crack cocaine smokers were significantly more likely to report: older age (29 vs. 23 years, respectively, p<0.0001); being White (79% vs. 50%, respectively, p=0.008); having been arrested (93% vs. 67%, respectively, p=0.008); daily alcohol consumption (36% vs. 17%, p=0.047); current heroin injection (57% vs. 13%, p<0.001); and current sex exchange (79% vs. 30%, p<0.001). In the presence of other variables, crack cocaine smokers compared to non-crack cocaine smokers were significantly older, more likely to report current heroin injection, and more likely to report current sex exchange., Discussion: We found high levels of drug use and sexual risk behaviors as well as a number of risks behaviors associated with crack cocaine smoking among this very under-studied population. Targeted interventions are greatly needed., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)