ABSTRACT
Recent increases in rates of unprotected anal sex (UAS) among men who have sex with men (MSM) signal the need to continually refine our understanding of factors associated with risky sexual behavior. Data were collected using a questionnaire eliciting information about the last sexual episode (LSE) with another man in the past 6 months. Logistic regression was used to identify both event-level and background correlates of UAS at LSE. 965 participants who reported having sex with a partner with whom they were not in a couple relationship at LSE were studied. Several event-level variables were significantly associated with UAS after adjusting for background factors, including finding the partner at LSE sexually attractive and using alcohol or cocaine at LSE. Our findings parallel the results of other HIV prevention studies which have highlighted the importance of interpersonal factors that influence risk-taking at the moment of a sexual act among MSM.
Subject(s)
Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data , Risk-Taking , Sexual Partners , Unsafe Sex , Adult , Canada/epidemiology , Condoms/statistics & numerical data , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Population Surveillance , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
In order to evaluate the predictors of risky sexual behavior and AIDS, 573 male and female college students enrolled in French speaking universities in Montreal answered a questionnaire dealing with their sexual behaviors, from which an index of risks was computed (CASH). The analyses show that the best predictors of the CASH for men are associated to their sexual partner taking the pill, peer attitudes toward sexuality and individual sensation-seeking index. For women the best predictors of risky sexual behaviors are the perception of chances to catch AIDS, use of drugs or alcohol during coital behavior, peer group attitudes, personal sexual attitudes and using the pill as a contraceptive. These results suggest that risky sexual behaviors depend on complex processes associated to lifestyle and personality structures.
