Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115272

Matt G. Mutchler, PhD¹, Leo Colemon, MA², Miguel Chion, MD, MPH¹, and Mark Schuster, MD,, PhD³. (1) Education, AIDS Project Los Angeles, 3550 Wilshire, #300, Los Angeles, CA 90010, 213.201.1522, mmutchler@apla.org, (2) Education, AIDS Project Los Angeles: The David Geffen Center, 611 S. Kingsley Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90005, (3) Departments of Pediatrics and Health Services, UCLA and RAND, UCLA/RAND Center for Adolescent Health Promotion, 1072 Gayley Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Background: Little is known about the sexual risk behaviors of HIV+ men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) because research studies often group them with gay men. The female sexual partners of HIV+ MSMW may be particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. Methods: We recruited a convenience sample of 150 HIV+ MSMW (50 African American, 50 Caucasian, 50 Latino) from HIV/AIDS service organizations from August 2003-July 2004. Respondents completed 90-minute interviewer-administered surveys that covered demographics, sexual behaviors, disclosure of HIV status and sexual partners of both genders, HIV stigma, sexual stigma, substance use, and safer sex communication. Univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Perceptions of stigma, disclosure behaviors, and communication patterns differ significantly depending on respondent's race/ethnicity and gender of primary partners. Increased sexual stigma and less safer sex communication predicted unprotected sex with female primary partners. HIV status of partner was the only predictor of unprotected sex with male primary partners. Participants were more likely to report unprotected sex with male partners who were also HIV+ (serosorting). Conclusion: HIV prevention interventions for HIV+ MSMW may benefit from addressing respondent's race/ethnicity and partner gender as well as serosorting strategies, safer sex communication, and sexual stigma.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to

• Identify differences in the sexual communication and behavioral patterns with primary partners among African American, caucasian, and Latino HIV+ MSMW.
• Understand factors that predict unprotected sex with male and female primary partners among HIV+ MSMW.
• Discuss useful core elements in designing HIV prevention interventions targeting HIV+ MSMW.

Keywords: Bisexual, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.