title: [Transverse study on sex behavior associated with HIV transmission among homosexual men in Catalonia].
abstract: In 1993, a cross sectional study was carried out on the sexual behaviour of a sample of homosexual men recruited in saunas, sex shops and a gay community-beased organisation of Catalonia. A total of 551 men with an average age of 34 years and a high educational level sent in an anonymous questionnaire. In the previous 6 months the mean number of male sexual partners was 6 and for penetrative partners 3. In the previous month, 94% had had oral sex (22% with ejaculation) and 76% anal intercourse (38% without a condom and 21% with ejaculation). During sex, 51% used alcohol, 34% nitrite inhalants, 20% hashish and 10% cocaine, 61% had had the HIV test, with a self-reported HIV prevalence of 21%. 86% stated that they knew of one or more people infected by HIV or with AIDS. The high percentage of men who had unprotected anal intercourse and the high self-reported HIV prevalence highlights the need to increase efforts in AIDS prevention and research in this group. Monitoring HIV associated sexual behaviours provides valuable indicators of the evolution of the epidemic, useful for designing and evaluating preventive interventions.
authors.affiliation: Programa per a la Prevenció i el Control de la Sida. Departament de Sanitat i Seguretal Social, Badalona.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodés
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blanch
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tort
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casabona
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires