Concurrent partners of high-risk African American women and heterosexual anal sex

Background: Sexual partner concurrency has been associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods: African American women who reported receptive anal sex with a male partner were recruited into a study of sexual networks. They completed both the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA) and the HIV Timeline Follow-Back Interview (TLFB). The TLFB interview elicits information on sexual partners and sex acts with these partners for the three months prior to interview and also allows for the categorization of sex partners as new, casual or regular. Results: 33 African American women completed both instruments. The total number of male sex partners ranged from 1-12. Total number of male partners was significantly correlated with new partners (r = .85, p < .0001), regular partners (r= .55, p< .001) and casual (r= .63, p < .0001). Total number of vaginal sex acts was significantly correlated with total casual partners (r= .77, p< .0001) and total new partners (r= .65, p< .0001) but was not correlated with total regular partners (r= .27, p= .12). Total receptive anal sex acts was positively correlated with both total new partners (r= .68, p< .0001) and total casual partners (r= .54, p= .001) but was not associated with regular partners (r= .05, p=.76). Discussion: Lack of knowledge about the risks of receptive anal sex and lack of knowledge about new and casual sex partners sexual and drug use history may place these women at additional risk of HIV and STI infection.