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

Abstract #99695

William Lyman Jeffries IV, BA, Department of Public Health, University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions, P.O. Box 100195, Gainesville, FL 32610-0195, (352) 392-0265 x162, jeffries@ufl.edu

The purpose of this study was to explore gendered dimensions in the lives of HIV-positive gay men who have suffered from varying degrees of sexual dysfunction. Much of the work in public health and the sociology of health and illness that has examined gay men has not devoted ample attention to the social construction of masculinity. Moreover, studies that have focused on HIV/AIDS and sexual dysfunction in gay men have largely examined prevalence rates and ignored the implications of risk as a result of given health problems (see Rosser, Metz, Bockting, & Buroker, 1997). For this study, twenty semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with gay men who acquired HIV via male-to-male sexual contact. These men were recruited from a prospective longitudinal study (Constance R. Uphold, principal investigator) conducted by the Malcolm V. Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. As prescribed by Strauss and Corbin (1998), grounded theory methodology was used to analyze transcriptions derived from audio recordings of the interviews. Data were literally transcribed (Lofland & Lofland, 1984) and openly and axially coded as themes emerged (see Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Sexuality saliently emerged as a mechanism for masculinity construction. Interviewees commented upon masculinity serving as an impetus for sexual health-risk behaviors. In addition, a number of interviewees indicated that sexual problems served as significant sources of frustration and forced renegotiation of masculinity. Findings demonstrate the need for public health researchers to more closely examine masculinity in the course of HIV/AIDS prevention.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the learner in this session will be able to

• Recognize the gender dynamics that guide some gay HIV-positive men's interactions.
• Discuss motivations for sexual risk-taking in gay men.
• Apply this qualitative, grounded theory approach to research with other at-risk populations.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Gender

Awards: Excellence in Abstract Submission among Student APHA Members and Winner of the HIV/AIDS Section Student Scholarship - Recipient

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.