'Gay Boy Talk' meets 'Girl Talk' in Los Angeles: High quality and frequent sexual health communication between young gay men and their best friends supports safer sex intentions and behaviors

Background: Sexual health communication between young adults is one way sexual norms are established. However, little is known about how young gay men (YGM) talk about sexual health topics with their best friends. Methods: We recruited 24 dyads in 2006 and 2007 to explore their sexual health discussions. 12 dyads were gay male/gay male best friends and 12 dyads were gay male/heterosexual female best friends. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted at baseline (N=46) and 3-month follow-up (N=36). Survey measures included demographics, sexual health communication with best friend, safer sex intentions, and unprotected sex. Pearson correlation and chi-squared analyses of baseline survey data were used to test associations between key measures. Results: The average age was 19, and the racial/ethnic breakdown included 35% African American, 48% Latino/Hispanic, and 17% White. 41% of YGM and 46% of female participants reported unprotected sex in the past 3 months. Positive associations were found between greater quality/frequency of sexual health communication, safer sex intentions, and safer sex behaviors. Those reporting higher quality of sexual health talk were more likely to want to have safer sex and support safer sex intentions for their best friends (P<.05). Friends reporting more frequent conversations reported greater safer sex intentions (P<.05). Participants with greater safer sex intentions reported less unprotected sex with their sexual partners (P<.05). Preliminary qualitative data analyses support these findings. Conclusion: Sexual health programs for young adults should target friendships, not just individuals, with communication skills to reduce behaviors that can lead to HIV transmission.