title: Sexual risk and HIV-testing behaviour by gay and bisexual men in Canada.
abstract: Behavioural epidemiology is an important aspect of HIV research, particularly among marginalized populations where measurement of rates of infection have not been conducted. This Canadian study provides a country-wide analysis of the characteristics and behaviours of gay and bisexual men, and examines the influence of geographic, socio-demographic and lifestyle influences on sexual behaviour and test-seeking. A purposive sample of 4,803 men was recruited through gay-identified venues. In order to provide national representation seven sampling strata were defined. Data were collected by self-completed questionnaire. A three-level hierarchical logistic regression analysis is used to model two behaviours, unprotected anal intercourse and test-seeking. The results showed that, nationally, 22.9% of respondents reported at least one episode of unprotected anal intercourse in the previous 3 months, and 63% had been tested. Characteristics and behaviours of men varied across the country. Geographic differences appear to be less important in explaining unprotected anal intercourse than test-seeking. In conclusion, policy, programmes and social environment appear to exert an important influence on test-seeking, whereas cultural and psychosocial dimensions appear to have a greater influence on sexual behaviour.
authors.affiliation: HIV Social, Behavioural and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calzavara
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Locker
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D002170:Canada; D015438:Health Behavior; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health