Factors influencing condom use in a sample of homosexually active men

Reasons People Give for Using (or Not Using) Condoms

Study participants (N = 348) were asked about 46 reasons that have been suggested for why people use or do not use condoms. Participants were asked which of these reasons motivated them when they were deciding whether to use condoms in 503 sexual relationships. Participants were classified into one of three roles based on their HIV status and the status of each sexual partner: HIV+ people with HIV- partners; HIV- people with HIV+ partners; and HIV- people with HIV- partners. Motivations were looked at in the context of each of these roles. Of the 46 reasons, only 15 were selected by at least 1/3 of the participants, and only seven were selected by at least half. Frequently reported reasons primarily concern protecting self and partner from STDs including HIV. Less frequently reported reasons involved social norms, effects of condoms on sex, and concern for the relationship. These findings have implications for clinical interventions.

Prevalence and associated factors of unprotected anal intercourse with regular male sex partners among HIV negative men who have sex with men in China: a cross-sectional survey

The HIV prevalence and incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China are high. Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with a regular male sex partner (RP), a significant predictor of HIV sero-conversion, was high yet under-emphasized among MSM having RP (MSMRP). The present cross-sectional survey interviewed 307 HIV negative MSMRP recruited through convenient sampling from multiple sources, including venue-based outreaching, online recruitment, and referrals made by peers, in Beijing and Chengdu, China. Among MSMRP, the prevalence of UAI with RP in the last three months was 52.4%. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that trust and intimacy within the relationship with RP and presence of clinical depression symptoms were positively associated with UAI with RP in the last three months. Other associated scalar factors derived from the Theory of Planned Behavior were related to perceptions on condom use, including positive attitudes toward condom use (a negative association), subjective norm of the perception that MSM do not usually use condoms during anal intercourse with RP (a positive association), perceived behavioral control over condom use with RP (a negative association), and behavioral intention to use condoms with RP in the coming three months (a negative association). It is seen that MSMRP were at high risk of HIV/STD transmission. The associated factors hence involved those related to perceptions about condom use, mental health, and interpersonal relationship. Future interventions should take these multi-dimensional factors into account. In particular, future research to test the efficacy of couple-based interventions that include mental health elements needs to be conducted, as trust and intimacy within the relationship were associated with UAI among MSMRP, and mental health problems may exist for both the MSMRP and their RP.

[A couple-based approach: An innovative effort to tackle HIV infection among Latino gay men.]

The HIV epidemic is a serious and pervasive health issue in the Latino community. While prevention efforts have helped maintain stability in the overall number of infections among Latinos for more than a decade, this population continues to be affected by HIV at high levels. In particular, Predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Several factors contribute to the HIV epidemic among Predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino MSM including substance use; intimate partner violence; the presence of certain STIs; same-sex relationship dynamics; avoidance of seeking testing counseling and treatment out of fear of discrimination and immigration status; and poverty, migration patterns, and language barriers. In particular, epidemiological behavioral research has identified how relationship dynamics in male couples are associated with sexual risk behavior. Consequently, further research is needed to identify and deliver interventions geared toward couple-based risk reduction among men in same-sex relationships. This paper describes the potential significance that innovative couple-based approaches can have on reducing HIV and AIDS cases among Predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino MSM and their same-sex partners.

Development and validation of the sexual agreement investment scale

Sexual agreements are ubiquitous among gay men. Lower levels of investment in these agreements may be associated with breaking them or engaging in risky sexual behavior. A scale was developed to measure agreement investment levels among gay men. Qualitative data from 78 gay men in committed relationships were analyzed to inform item development, followed by quantitative analyses of two larger samples (n = 380, n = 1,001) to assess construct, convergent, and discriminant validity. The Sexual Agreement Investment Scale (SAIS) is a psychometrically sound measure of the level of investment in sexual agreements among gay men in relationships. Men with higher agreement investment were less likely to break agreements and less likely to engage in unprotected anal intercourse with outside partners. The SAIS can be used to measure investment in sexual agreements and its impact on sexual behavior in a wide variety of settings, including research on relationships, sexuality, couples therapy and HIV prevention.

Serostatus differences and agreements about sex with outside partners among gay male couples

This article describes agreements gay male couples make about sex outside the relationship and how the process of making those agreements, and their perceived quality, varies depending on couple serostatus. Data include 191 couples recruited in the San Francisco Bay Area from June to December 2004. Monogamous agreements were reported by 56% of participants in concordant-negative, 47% in concordant-positive, and 36% in discordant relationships. The remaining participants reported agreements allowing sex with outside partners in some form. Agreement quality was lowest among men in discordant relationships. Overall, few (30%) reported breaking their agreements; only half of whom reported disclosing those breaks to their partners. Although differences in agreement type, quality, and satisfaction were found among the three couple serostatus groups, rates of breaks and their disclosure did not vary significantly by group. Future HIV prevention efforts aimed at couples must integrate both couple serostatus and relationship-based issues.

Experiences of condom fit and feel among African-American men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVE

To offer an empirical understanding of characteristics associated with the fit and feel of condoms among African-American men who have sex with men (MSM), a particularly high-risk group for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the United States.

METHODS

Survey data were collected from 178 adult African-American MSM attending a community event in Atlanta, Georgia.

RESULTS

Although the majority of participants reported that condoms generally fit properly and felt comfortable, a substantial number of men reported a variety of problems with the fit and feel of condoms. Specifically, 21% reported that condoms felt too tight, 18% reported that condoms felt too short, 10% reported that condoms felt too loose, and 7% reported that condoms felt too long. There were significant associations between men's reports of condom breakage and slippage, and their perceptions of condom fit and feel. Perceptions of condom fit and feel were also related to men's reports of seeking condoms for their size-specific properties.

CONCLUSIONS

The fit and feel issues that men in this sample identified may be among those that contribute to their likelihood of using, or not using, condoms consistently and correctly. A better understanding of these factors will be beneficial to both condom manufacturers and sexual health professionals who share a common goal of increasing consistent and correct condom use and reducing the incidence of HIV and other STI among this and other communities.

A pilot study of immigration status, homosexual self-acceptance, social support, and HIV reduction in high risk Asian and Pacific Islander men

This article reports the results of a cross-sectional study that was conducted to describe the sexual behavior and HIV risk reduction behaviors of homosexual and bisexual Asian and Pacific Islander men and to relate immigration status, self-acceptance as a homosexual, and levels of social support to the adoption of safe sexual behaviors in this population. Thirty-one gay and bisexual Asian and Pacific Islander men in San Diego County, California, participated. Generally high levels of knowledge about HIV and transmission risks as well as self-acceptance and social support were found. While most (84%) reported some attempts to increase condom use in the previous 6 months, 42% reported engaging in unprotected intercourse during that same time period. An inverse relationship between self-acceptance and utilization of risk reduction strategies was found. No association was found between immigration status or self-reported HIV status and level of HIV knowledge, level of HIV risk behavior, or level of HIV risk reduction efforts. The findings are discussed within the context of other social network studies and HIV prevention programs for gay and bisexual Asian and Pacific Islander men.

HIV risk behaviors and obstacles to condom use among Puerto Rican men in New York City who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES

This paper describes the sexual risk behaviors of Puerto Rican men who have sex with men and their perceived obstacles to condom use.

METHODS

Interviews were conducted with 182 Puerto Rican men living in New York, NY.

RESULTS

Condoms were used inconsistently or not at all by half of the men who had anal sex with other men, by two thirds of the men who had vaginal sex, and by three fifths of those who had anal sex with women. Most of the men had had unprotected oral sex and more than one sexual partner in the previous year. Three of 10 were positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Dislike of condoms was the most frequently cited obstacle, followed by perception of low risk, trust in and emotional connection with partner, unavailability and inconvenience of condom use, lack of control, and indifference.

CONCLUSIONS

Barrier methods other than condoms, such as a microbicidal, gel, need to be developed.

Linkage and independence of AIDS and Kaposi disease: the interaction of human immunodeficiency virus and some coagents

Through epidemiological considerations we conclude that full-blown AIDS may occur only if the index patient is infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and, in addition, by some other infectious coagent. Since the dynamical behavior of the spread of AIDS cases with manifestation of Kaposi's sarcoma differs fundamentally from that of the non-Kaposi cases, we conjecture that two independent coagents (together with HIV) are responsible for the outbreak of full-blown AIDS with or without manifestation of Kaposi's sarcoma, respectively. Our formal epidemiological considerations appear to be supported by recent microbiological findings.