6013.0: Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 9:00 AM

Abstract #23792

Sexual risk behaviors of self-identified and behaviorally bisexual HIV+ men

Matt G. Mutchler, PhD, Nancy Wongvipat, MPH, Lee E. Klosinski, PhD, and Miguel Chion, MD, MPH. Education, AIDS Project Los Angeles, 1313 N. Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323.993.1522, mmutchler@apla.org

Objectives: Our objective is to characterize and identify demographic, health, and behavioral risk factors associated with sexual risk behaviors among self-identified and behaviorally bisexual HIV+ men. Study Design: Cross-sectional, mail administered survey. Method: We analyzed self-reported HIV status disclosure, demographic, quality of life, medication adherence, health status, sexual risk behavior, and drug and alcohol use data from 113 self-identified bisexual men and 8 additional gay-identified men who reported sex with both men and women in the previous six months. The sample was drawn from clients of an AIDS service organization. The outcome variable for the quantitative study was unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse (UVAI). UVAI was assigned if subjects reported any unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse in the past six months. Multiple logistic regression and Chi-square tests were used to identify factors associated with UVAI at a significance level of p<.05. Results: 31% of the bisexual men reported sexual risk behaviors. 54.5% of the bisexual men did not always disclose their HIV status to their sexual partners. Non-adherence to HIV medications, recreational drug use, tobacco use, and feeling the effects of drugs or alcohol during sex were significantly associated with sexual risk behaviors. Conclusion: Understanding the sexual risk behaviors of self-identified and behaviorally bisexual men living with HIV/AIDS is crucial to the development of targeted HIV prevention intervention programs to decrease UVAI, and thus prevent HIV infections to their male and female sexual partners, as well as HIV re-infection.

Learning Objectives: As a result of the presentation, participants will be able to characterize the sexual risk behaviors of HIV+ bisexual men and to identify factors associated with such risk behaviors.

Keywords: Bisexual, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA