Objective:
Young MSM are likely to attend gay bars and dance clubs, highly sex charged environments that are commonly associated with drug and alcohol use. We sought to determine the association of bar and nightclub attendance with HIV risk behaviors and HIV prevalence among this population.
Methods:
Young men ages 15-22 were recruited for behavioral interviews and voluntary HIV testing at bars and dance clubs frequented by MSM as part of the Young Men's Survey. From May 1996-May 1998, a total of 415 young men were recruited into the study in Baltimore, Maryland, one site of a national multi-site study. Interview topics included: demographics, venue attendance, drug use and sex practices.
Results:
Of the 415 young men recruited, 361 (87%) participants who had prior sexual experience with other men were used for this analysis. Eighty-five percent of the Baltimore MSM reported having attended gay bars or dance clubs in the previous six months. Among those young men who attended night time venues, 37% did not use a condom the last time they had sex, 21% were high on drugs or alcohol the last time they had sex, 31% had previously been forced to have sexual contact, 16% previously had an STD, and 9% were HIV positive.
Conclusions:
These findings show high levels of unprotected sex, substance use and HIV among young MSM who attend gay dance clubs and bars, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate, targeted HIV prevention education and outreach efforts for a new generation of young men.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. Identify risk behaviors for HIV transmission among young men who have sex with men (MSM. 2. Describe the association of drug and alcohol use with high HIV seroprevalence among young MSM. 3. Assess the role of nightclub and bar attendance with HIV risk behaviors among young MSM
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Gay Men
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.