Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105320

Ronald Brooks, PhD¹, Sung-Jae Lee, PhD¹, and Arleen A. Leibowitz, PhD². (1) Center for HIV Identification, Prevention &Treatment Services, University of California, Los Angeles, 10920 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA 90024, 310-794-6075, rbrooks@mednet.ucla.edu, (2) Public Policy, UCLA, Public Policy Bldg, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Background: Despite years of HIV prevention messages targeting men who have sex with men (MSM), the number of new HIV infections among this group exceeds those of heterosexual men and women (CDC HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2003). The objective of this study was to examine changes in risk behaviors among MSM compared with heterosexual men and women across three time periods: 1997, 1999 and 2002/3.

Methods: The study used the 1997, 1999 and 2002/3 Los Angeles County Health Survey datasets, providing a unique opportunity to examine trends in risk behaviors across time. The survey is a random digital dial phone survey of adults that examined key health status indicators. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine social demographic and risk factors associated with risky sex among the three groups across the three time periods. Risky sex was defined as inconsistent condom use and having multiple sex partners.

Results: Across the three time periods, MSM reported consistently higher levels of risky sex compared with their heterosexual counterparts. In fact, MSM were 3.0 times more likely to report risky sex than heterosexual men and women (p<.0001). Men were 2.4 times more likely to report risky sex than women (p<.0001). In addition, individuals who reported heavy drinking were 2.0 times more likely to report risky sex than non-heavy drinkers (p<.0001).

Conclusions: Despite years of HIV prevention efforts, MSM continue to engage in risky behavior to a greater extent than their heterosexual counterparts. This problem underscores the challenges in developing new prevention messages for MSM.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, participants will be able to

• Describe changes in risk behaviors of men who have sex with men over time.
• Describe changes in risk behaviors of heterosexual men and women over time.
• Understand differences in risk behaviors of men who have sex with men compared with heterosexual men and women.

Keywords: Gay Men, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.