Changes at a human immunodeficiency virus testing clinic in the prevalence of unsafe sexual behavior among men who have sex with men.
OBJECTIVE
Given reductions in risky sexual behavior reportedly occurring during the 1980s among men who have sex with men, the authors sought to assess if such trends are continuing.


METHODS
The authors analyzed initial visit data for 4,880 men who presented at a human immunodeficiency virus testing clinic from 1988 through 1993 and who reported any male partners during the preceding 12 months.


RESULTS
From 1988 to 1993, the percent of men who have sex with men reporting any oral sex (virtually all of which was unprotected) or any anal sex (more than two-thirds of which was unprotected) during the previous 6 months increased from 78% to 90% (P < 0.001) and from 47% to 55% (P = 0.6), respectively. Adjusting for demographics and numbers of partners did not change results.


CONCLUSIONS
Unprotected anal sex persists, whereas unprotected oral sex is increasing among men who have sex with men and who present for human immunodeficiency virus testing. New strategies are needed to reduce human immunodeficiency virus risk among men who have sex with men.
Goldbaum
G M
GM
AIDS Prevention Project, Seattle-King County Department of Public Health, WA 98101, USA.
Yu
T
T
Wood
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017280:Condoms; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014861:Washington