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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Frederick Schulze, DEd CHES, Health Sciences, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, 114 Himes, Lock Haven, PA 17745, 570-893-2155, fschulze@lhup.edu and James Labenberg, MS, MEd, NCC, AIDS Resource Alliance, Inc, 122 Valley Heights Drive, Williamsport, PA 17701.

Issues: Living in a rural community as a MSM includes the fear of being ostracized within the community including by family and health professionals. This fear leads to dire consequences such as avoiding seeking help, hiding illness, or delaying seeking diagnosis or treatment. This presentation will include findings from the Rural Men's Study (RMS), discussion of specific issues for heath educators and professionals when working with rural MSM, and how partnerships between these groups can better serve this population.

Description: The RMS investigated risky sexual behavior of rural MSM. MSM in rural Pennsylvania completed surveys about sexual risk behaviors, personal characteristics, mental health status, and stigma.

Lessons Learned: Self-esteem was lower among men exhibiting high risk. Men with low self-esteem were more likely to have multiple partners and inconsistently use condoms. Men who reported that local health care providers held less tolerant attitudes were more likely to participate in high-risk behavior.

Recommendations: Educational efforts aimed at behavioral change are the first line of defense in slowing the spread of HIV. MSM living in rural areas often do not feel safe participating in educational programs, thus programs sensitive to rural cultures as well as sensitivity education for health and helping professionals are needed. Only through collaboration and innovation will professionals be able to slow the spread of HIV as well as reduce the stigma and protect the individual human rights of those living with HIV/AIDS.

Learning Objectives:

• 1) Describe the factors of stigma and self-esteem on sexual risk taking behaviors of rural MSM.
• 2) Relate the collaborative approaches needed between community and academic partners to decrease high risk sexual behavior.

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Gay Men

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation