141st APHA Annual Meeting

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278346
Sexual identity among behaviorally bisexual men: Implications for HIV/STI and sexual health

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Aleta Baldwin, MA , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Brian Dodge, PhD , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Randolph D. Hubach, MPH , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Vanessa Schick, PhD , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Gabriel Goncalves, BS , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Phillip Schnarrs, PhD , Department of Health & Kinesiology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Omar Martinez, JD, MPH , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Michael Reece, PhD, MPH , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Barbara Van Der Pol, PhD, MPH , School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
David Malebranche, MD, MPH , Division of General Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD, MS , Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Ryan Nix, BA , Step Up, Inc., Indianapolis, IN
INTRODUCTION: Scientific research on sexual self-identity, and its implications for HIV/STI risk, among behaviorally bisexual men is scarce.

METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of 77 behaviorally bisexual men in order to obtain data related to sexual identity.

RESULTS: Findings indicated that sexual self-identification is based on inner perceptions as well as factors derived within the social context, social networks, and environments in which these men live their daily lives. Disclosure patterns for behaviorally bisexual men were varied and were also influenced by context, social networks and perceived social norms.

DISCUSSION: Future intervention development should include understand sexual self-identity, and its potential relations to sexual risk behavior, as part of a component of a holistic approach to HIV/STI risk prevention among behaviorally bisexual men.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the scoial construction of sexual identity and its impact on behaviorally bisexual men, Explain the implications of sexual identity on HIV/STI risk behavior among behaviorally bisexual men, Discuss the role of sexual identity in future HIV/STI interevention efforts

Keywords: Bisexual, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a member of the study team led by the APHA HIV/AIDS section chair.
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.

Back to: 4318.0: HIV and sexual identity