Rectal use of nonoxynol-9 among men who have sex with men.
OBJECTIVE
To assess recent rectal use of nonoxynol-9 (N-9), intent to use the product, and factors associated with N-9 use among men who have sex with men (MSM).


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of a diverse sample of MSM in the San Francisco Bay Area.


METHODS
Recruitment conducted at multiple street locations on various days/times or through referral during the Fall of 2001.


RESULTS
Sixty-one percent (349/573) had heard of N-9, of which 55% (192/349) reported hearing in the prior year that N-9 may not be protective against HIV. Of men aware of N-9, 83% (289/349) knowingly used it in their lifetime, of which 67% (193/289) used it during anal intercourse in the previous year. Forty-one percent (79/193) of those who used N-9 during anal intercourse in the past year did so without a condom because they thought it may protect against HIV. Older men were more likely than younger men to have used N-9 for protection. Men who heard that N-9 may not protect were less likely, and African-Americans (versus Caucasians) were more likely, to say they would definitely use N-9 during anal intercourse in the future. Latinos (versus Caucasians), those with unknown HIV serostatus (versus HIV-negative), and those with lower education were less likely to know about N-9 at all, and thus were at risk for unknowingly using N-9.


CONCLUSIONS
Many MSM used N-9 during or following public health warnings about the product. Actions (e.g., information campaigns, warning labels specific to rectal use) should be considered by communities to reduce rectal use of N-9.
Mansergh
Gordon
G
Epidemiology Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Marks
Gary
G
Rader
Melissa
M
Colfax
Grant N
GN
Buchbinder
Susan
S
D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002140:California; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D017137:Nonoxynol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D017137:Nonoxynol