Drawing a probability sample of female prostitutes in Los Angeles County
Methods used to construct a spatial-temporal sampling frame to recruit a probability sample of female street prostitutes in the 4,000 square mile area of Los Angeles County are described. Of 164 potential street areas named by informants or associated with marker establishments, 111 were judged to have sufficient prostitution activity for inclusion in the study. Completed interviews were obtained from 998 prostitutes, 638 of whom also gave blood samples, representing 85% of those from whom a blood sample was sought. Field results indicate that probability sampling techniques can be successfully used to study street prostitutes. The authors believe the sample areas identified account for most of the street prostitution in Los Angeles County. The response rate is within the range of 61 percent, assuming all women who refused screening or denied eligibility were simply refusing to participate, to 89 percent, if all such women were in fact ineligible.
- Format:
- Paperback, 7 Pages
- Year:
- 1999
- List Price:
- Free
Document Details
- Copyright: RAND Corporation
- Availability: Available
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 7
- List Price: Free
- Document Number: RP-767
- Year: 1999
- Series: Reprints
Originally published in: Journal of Sex Research, v. 36, no. 1, February 1999, pp. 45-51.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation reprint series. This product is part of the RAND Corporation reprint series. RAND reprints present previously published journal articles, book chapters, and reports with the permission of the publisher. RAND reprints have been formally reviewed in accordance with the publisher's editorial policy, and are compliant with RAND's rigorous quality assurance standards for quality and objectivity.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.
RAND® is a registered trademark. Copyright © 1994-2012 RAND Corporation.