| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Published Abstract | | Title: Sexual risk practices of HIV+ heterosexual men and women. | | Authors: Semple SJ, Patterson TL, Grant I | | Year: 2000 | | Publication: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | | Volume: 22 Issue: S Pages: S073 | | Abstract:Increasing rates of heterosexual transmission of HIV makes the sexual practices of HIV+ heterosexually-identified men and women an important, yet understudied area of inquiry. The present study compared baseline rates of unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex for 20 male and 27 female participants in sexual risk reduction intervention for HIV+ individuals. Participants all reported having unprotected sex with HIV-negative partners during the previous four months. Men and women were similar on demographics: mean age 38.9 years, 47% were African American of Latino/a, and 33% had an AIDS diagnosis. Men were significantly more educated than females. Vaginal sex was reported by all but one participant. Men and women reported engaging in vaginal sex 2-3 times per week: 53% of men and 44% of women reported always using a condom. On average, women reported 15 unprotected vaginal sex acts, whereas men reprted only 1 during the 4-month period (p<.001). Anal sex was reported by only 18% of women and 20% of men. Women engaged in significantly more unprotected anal sex acts compared to men (M=1.9 vs .14). Ninety-one percent of the sample reported engaging in oral sex. Seventy-two percent of men and 82% of women never used condoms/dental dams for oral sex. Men reported significantly more acts of unprotected oral sex compared to women (M=33.5 vs 17.8, respectively). Among women, the primary reason for not using condoms was: My sexual partner did not want to use a condom. Among men, the primary reason for not always using a condom was: My partner did not suggest using a condom. Gender differences and similarities are discussed in terms of their implications for the development of sexual risk reduction interventions for HIV+ heterosexual men and women. |
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