Men Practicing Heterosexual Anal Sex in a Los Angeles County Sample

BACKGROUND: Previous research modeled heterosexual anal sex (HAS) in women (Reynolds, et al. 2007). This study seeks to develop a model for men reported engaging in HAS.

METHODS: The Los Angeles Countywide Risk Assessment Survey was administered to 2126 participants. 515 males reported having sex with women. 84/515 = 16.3% reported engaging in HAS.

RESULTS: Results indicate a significant association between speedball use (heroin and cocaine mixed together) and HAS, χ²(1,N=515)=4.88, p<.05. Men having HAS were more likely to: have used a needle for home tattooing after someone else used it χ²(1,N=515)=12.78, p=.0001; use a needle for home tattooing/body piercing in the next 6 months χ²(1,N=515)=18.23, p<.0001; be concerned that avoidance of a shared needle χ²(1,N=116)=6.94, p<.01, or use of bleach would infer someone had HIV χ²(1,N=111)=10.19, p<.01, skip condom use χ²(1,N=302)=8.46, p<.01, reported less fear of AIDS with sexual behaviors χ²(1,N=308)=4.21, p<0.05, were less likely to talk to their main partner about condom use, χ²(1,N=309) =5.56, p<0.05, but were less likely to have sex with someone other than their main partner χ²(1,N=515)=6.62, p<0.05. Men engaged in HAS were less likely to be touched in a way that they did not want to be χ²(1,N=514)=4.74, p<0.01, but more likely to be hit by a partner χ²(1,N=514) =7.14, p<0.05.

CONCLUSION:

Men who engaged in HAS are primarily monogamous and less likely to use condoms. The increases in speedball use and home tattooing may reflect incarceration history. It is important to learn more about men who engage in this high-transmission risk behavior.