Liquid Courage: Heavy Drinking and Risky Sexual Behavior among Young Heterosexual African-American Men

Introduction: African-American men are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Alcohol has been identified as a key behavioral factor associated with HIV/ STI risk. This study examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behavior among African-American men.

Methods: Eighty heterosexual, African-American men, 18 to 29 years old, were recruited from barbershops and recreational venues in Atlanta, GA. Participants completed psychosocial and sexual risk assessments that evaluated partner concurrency, number of sexual partners, and alcohol use (AUDIT).

Results: Results indicate that 66.2% (N=47) were identified as non-problem drinkers (abstainers/social drinkers) and 33.8% (N=24) as problem drinkers/likely alcohol dependent. Multiple logistic regression analyses, covarying for age, indicated that problem drinkers were more likely to have sex after consuming alcohol than non-problem drinkers (AOR=13.90, p=.02). When examining individual items of the AUDIT, binge drinking was associated with having sex after consuming alcohol (AOR=7.13, p=.006). Also, participants who reported being unable to remember what happened the night before due to drinking were more likely to have sex after consuming alcohol (AOR=10.91, p=.03) and have multiple partners (AOR=2.93, p=.05). Finally, participants who reported a friend or health worker suggested that they cut down their drinking were more likely to have a higher number of lifetime sexual partners (AOR=12.35, p=.004).

Conclusion: Heavy drinking, which may impede the ability to practice safe sex, is associated with poor memory recall and risky sexual behaviors. HIV/STI intervention programs for this subgroup of heavy drinkers should be tailored to reduce alcohol use/abuse and HIV/STI-associated risk behaviors.