Investigation of motivational and behavioural factors influencing men who have sex with other men in public toilets (cottaging).
One-hundred-and-thirty-four individuals engaging in cottaging returned postal questionnaires. The sample was mainly urban and gay identified. Cottagers reported that cottaging was one way of meeting partners amongst a range of others they used. Most enjoyed it and felt in control of their cottaging. The majority of cottagers engaged in safer sexual activity, but there were a significant number who engaged in unsafe sexual activity last time they cottaged. Of those who had been voluntarily tested in the past and reported their serostatus, 23% were seropositive. Unsafe sexual activity was unrelated to whether tested or not, known serostatus or knowledge of the risks of transmission.
Church
J
J
Department of Psychology, St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London.
Green
J
J
Vearnals
S
S
Keogh
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology; D017280:Condoms; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D014038:Toilet Facilities