142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Sexual Behaviors, Sexual Health Practices, and Community Engagement Among Gay and Bisexually Identified Men living in Rural Areas of the United States

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Sunday, November 16, 2014

Phillip Schnarrs, PhD , Department of Kinesiology, Health & Nutrition, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Joshua G. Rosenberger, PhD, MPH , Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Vanessa Schick, PhD , Division of Management, Policy and Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, TX
David Novak, MSW, CAS , Online Buddies, Inc., Cambridge, MA
Michael Reece, PhD , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Background: Limited research has focused on the sexual behaviors of MSM from rural communities. We examined the sexual and health-related behaviors of MSM living in rural areas of the US in order to understand the sexual health repertoire of this population.

Methods: A total of 5,357 participants livingi n rural settings were recruited online and completed an anonymous Internet-based survey. This study was conducted via a participatory effort with one of the world’s largest internet-based networking sites for men who are seeking social or sexual interactions with other MSM. An electronic recruitment message was sent to the e-mail address of all individuals who had an account on the site at the time of the study (October 2010) and who indicated that their residence within the 50 United States. 

Results: The majority (78.6%) reported an HIV test within the past year. Men in the Midwest were least likey to test for HIV (p < .05) during that timeframe. Men living in either the South or the West were significantly more likely to report having received a positive HIV diagnosis (p < .001).  Over a quarter of men reported cosistent condom use during the past 10 insertive (26.4%) and receptive (29.2%) anal sex events, while one quarter reported using a condom zero out of ten times.

Conclusions These data provide a greater understanding of sexual health profiles that exist among rural MSM and will be helpful to inform the design of effective programs for men in these often underserved communities.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Assess the sexual behaviors of gay and bisexual men living in rural areas. Assess the sexual health of gay and bisexual men living in rural areas. Evaluate condom use among gay and bisexual men living in rural areas.

Keyword(s): Rural Health, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have published in the are of sexual behavior, social determinants of behavior a, condom use and HIV prevention. I conducted research focused on different communities and identities of gay and bisexual men as it relates to sexual health and HIV/STI.
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.

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