Stoyanoff SR, Weber MD, Ford WL, Kerndt PR; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 337 (abstract no. Tu.C.2411).
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles, CA. Fax: (213) 487-9386.
Objective: To describe demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors and noninjection drug use among young men who have sex with men. Methods: Between August 1994 and December 1995, 470 young men aged 15-22 who had ever had a male sex partner were interviewed and tested for HIV. These young men were recruited from streets, parks, clubs, and bars using multistage, outreach sampling methods. A standardized interviewer-administered survey was used to collect demographic and HIV-related risk behavior information. Results: Overall HIV seroprevalence was 7.9% (37/466). Twelve percent were 15-17; 53% 18-20; and 35% were 21-22 years of age. Racial/ethnic minorities represented 70% of the sample. Only 3% were homeless. Eighty-six percent reported male sex partners only and 14% both male and female sex partners during the prior 6 months. The majority (78%) reported having had sex with male steady partners (MSP:sexual contact 3 or more times), 66% with male nonsteady partners (MNP:sexual contact 1 or 2 times), 17% with male exchange partners (MEP:sex in exchange for something needed), 10% with female steady partners (FSP), and 10% with female nonsteady partners (FNP). Condom use varied by sex partner type. During receptive anal sex, 40% always used condoms with MSPs, 52% always used condoms with MNPs, and only 13% always used condoms with MEPs. Less than half the sample always used condoms with FSPs during vaginal sex and insertive anal sex (45% and 44%, respectively). With FNPs, condoms were always used by 49% during vaginal sex and by 33% during insertive anal sex. Forty-two percent did not use a condom the last time they had sex. Forty-two percent reported using alcohol, 22% marijuana, 16% uppers, 12% poppers, 6% cocaine while having sex during the previous 6 months, and 25% were high the last time they had sex. Conclusions: High levels of HIV seroprevalence and risky sexual behaviors were found in this sample of young men despite intensive prevention activities in the gay community. These findings suggest that more effective behavior change interventions are needed.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Aged
- Condoms
- Data Collection
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- HIV Seroprevalence
- Homosexuality
- Homosexuality, Male
- Humans
- Los Angeles
- Male
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
- Substance-Related Disorders
Other ID:
UI: 102218511
From Meeting Abstracts