Background:  Men are more likely than women to be reported with AIDS in the United States, but heterosexual women are at greater risk of infection with HIV per sexual exposure than heterosexual men.  In a survey of ethnic-minority populations, we examined perceptions of risk and condom use in the past year by gender, relationship status, and age group.

Methods:  A computer-assisted telephone interview survey was conducted in winter 2001 with a sample of young adults residing in 12 zip-code areas of Broward County, Florida, with a high prevalence of AIDS. 

Results:  Of the 2004 eligible respondents enrolled, 35.3 % were men and 64.7 % were women.  Women (26.2 %) were more likely to be married than men (12.5 %).  Differences were also observed with respect to perceptions of medium-high risk of HIV infection and reports of condom use (table).

Conclusions:  Regardless of relationship status, younger men were more likely to perceive HIV as medium to high risk.  Except for younger, married respondents, men more frequently reported using condoms than women.  Men more often reported, “should have used condom” in every age and relationship group.