Publication Abstract Display |
Type: Published Manuscript |
Title: Psychosocial characteristics and sexual risk behavior of HIV positive men who have anonymous sex partners. |
Authors: Semple SJ, Patterson TL, Grant I |
Year: 2004 |
Publication: Psychology and Health |
Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Pages: 71-87 |
Abstract:There is a paucity of studies that characterize sexual risk behavior that occurs between anonymous sex partners. The purpose of this study was to compare the sexual risk behaviors, and psychosocial characteristics of 156 HIV+ gay and bisexual men who had anonymous partners and 161 counterparts who reported no anonymous sex partners. Rates of unprotected anal and oral sex with anonymous partners were high, and rates of serostatus disclosure were low. Men with anonymous partners had five times as many HIV-negative or unknown serostatus partners as compared to men with no anonymous partners. A logistic regression revealed that living alone, greater use of illicit drugs, and lower scores on self-efficacy for disclosure of serostatus distinguished between men who had anonymous partners and those who did not have anonymous partners. The clinical application of our findings is discussed in terms of modification of these factors through motivational interviewing and social cognitive theory. |