"Safety" in gay men's personal ads, 1985-1996.
A content analysis was conducted of a sample of gay men's personal ads over the period 1985-1996. Ads (591) were analysed, comparing those which contained references to "safety" and those which did not. Approximately 10% of ads included such a reference and this proportion did not change over time. "Safety" was not associated with the personal characteristics of advertisers or their desired partners but was more commonly mentioned by older men. There were strong associations between oral sex, anal sex and mentioning safety. However, the differential risks of HIV transmission associated with oral sex and anal sex were not reflected in the extent of reference to safety, suggesting uncertainty about the risks of HIV transmission associated with oral sex.
Smith
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Centre for the Study of Sexually Transmissible Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Australia. Anthony.Smith@latrobe.edu.au
D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012449:Safety; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology