204651 Clarifying the roles of cultural beliefs, partner characteristics, and communication about condom use in sexual risk-taking among Latino men who have sex with men

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 8:50 AM

Serena C. Lo, MS , Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Carol A. Reisen, PhD , Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Paul J. Poppen, PhD , Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Fernanda T. Bianchi, PhD , Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
María Cecilia Zea, PhD , Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
  
Background: Communication about condoms is often a situational determinant of whether protected versus unprotected sex occurs between sexual partners. Among Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), cultural attitudes such as simpatía and sexual silence, combined with the sexual arousal typically present in sexual encounters, may pose barriers to communication about condoms and in turn increase the odds of unprotected sex. This study examined how culturally based beliefs were associated with communication about condom use in a U.S. sample of immigrant Latino MSM from Brazil, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.

Methods: Participants (n=356) completed a survey via Audio-CASI. Latino beliefs were measured with a 13-item scale derived from previous qualitative research. Participants reported on partner-related and physiological aspects of their last episode of anal intercourse.

Results: Hierarchical set logistic regression showed that having sex with a steady partner, higher levels of sexual desire and being intoxicated were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of communicating about condom use. There was no effect of cultural variables on the likelihood of communication. Communication about condoms was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of actual condom use in individuals' most recent anal sex encounter.

Conclusions: Researchers have emphasized the importance of culture and communication in relation to safer sex behavior, but interrelationships among these variables need further study.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe how cultural beliefs may play a role in communication about safer sex behavior. 2. Identify relationships among communication, sexual arousal, substance use, and sexual risk-taking. 3. Recognize gaps in understanding of how communication and cultural factors affect sexual risk.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Ethnic Minorities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: GWU graduate student in applied social psychology; Member of GWU Latino Health Research Center
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men in Context
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