Sexual risk behaviors of Gay, Lesbian, and bisexual youths in New York City: prevalence and correlates.
The lifetime and recent sexual risk behaviors of 156 Gay, Lesbian, and bisexual youths, recruited from Gay-focused organizations in New York City, were examined. The data indicated seven reasons why the youths are at risk for HIV and other STDs: They initiated sex during early adolescence; their first sexual partners were older than they were; HIV barrier methods (e.g., condoms) were initiated subsequent to sexual debut; many lifetime sexual partners and encounters were reported; some youths exchanged sex for goods; many youths reported having had at least one partner at risk for HIV; and the youths engaged in unprotected sexual behaviors during the past 3 months. Significant gender differences emerged (e.g., the male youths reported more lifetime same-sex partners than the female youths; the female youths reported more lifetime other-sex partners than the male youths). Recent sexual risk behaviors (i.e., numbers of same-sex partners, encounters, and unprotected sex during the past 3 months) were related significantly to the youths' average degree of emotional involvement in or average duration of intimate relationships.
Rosario
M
M
Department of Psychology, City College and Graduate School, The City University of New York, NY 10031, USA.
Meyer-Bahlburg
H F
HF
Hunter
J
J
Gwadz
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data