 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
David S. Bimbi, MA1, Jeffrey T. Parsons, PhD2, Kalil Vicioso, MA1, Jason Van Ora1, Joseph C. Punzalan1, Whitney Missildine1, Juline A. Koken1, and Perry Halkitis, PhD3. (1) CHEST, Graduate Center-CUNY, 250 West 26th Street, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001, (212) 206-7919 x237, DBIMBI@gc.cuny.edu, (2) Psychology Department, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, (3) CHEST, New York University, 250 West 26th Street, Suite 300, New York City, NY 10001
OBJECTIVES: To examine differences among gay/bisexual men who purposely seek out unprotected anal sex, or barebacking, and those who do not. METHODS: Data were collected on a sample of 709 men not in a monogamous relationship in New York City recruited at two large community events. RESULTS: Eighty-six (12%) participants identified themselves as barebackers. Significantly fewer HIV negative men (9%, 55/614) than HIV positive men (33%, 31/95) identified as barebackers. Compared to other men, barebackers reported more sexual partners in the past three months (7.83 versus 17.77, p = .001). Barebackers also perceived that more of their peers were engaged in unprotected anal insertive (UAI) and receptive (UAR) sex (p = .001). Barebacking men scored significantly higher on Kalichman's measure of Sexual Compulsivity than did other men (p = .001). More barebackers, compared to other men, reported UAI (60% versus 24%, p = .000) and UAR (46% versus 15%, p = .000). Results were the same when examined by participant's self-reported serostatus. Men who reported barebacking were significantly (all p’s < .01) more likely to report a lifetime history of genital herpes (20% versus 8%), syphilis (16% versus 6%), and HPV/genital warts (37% versus 21%). CONCLUSION: Public information campaigns should address barebacking among gay/bisexual men. Interventions could focus on impacting peer norms for unprotected sex, as well as address the potential for sexual compulsivity among men who identify as barebackers. Additional HIV and STD risk reduction interventions are clearly needed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Gay Men
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.