title: Inconsistent condom use with steady and casual partners and associated factors among sexually-active men who have sex with men in Bangkok, Thailand.
abstract: HIV/STD risk behavior has not been examined in community samples of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand. The sexually-active sample (n=927) was recruited from bars, saunas, and parks; 20% identified as bisexual and 17% tested HIV-positive. Inconsistent (<100%) condom use was reported by 45% of those with steady partners and 21% of those with casual partners in the prior three months. 21% had heard of effective HIV treatments (n=194), among whom 44% believed HIV was less serious and 36% said their risk behavior had increased after hearing about the treatments. In multivariate analysis, HIV-positive status, gay-identification, getting most HIV information from the radio, believing HIV can be transmitted by mosquito bite, and concern about acquiring an STD were associated with inconsistent condom use during anal sex; slightly older age (25-29 vs. 18-24 years) was associated with more consistent condom use. HIV/STD risk-reduction strategies for MSM in Bangkok should clearly state sexual risk to individuals in this population.
authors.affiliation: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-37, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. gcm2@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mansergh
authors.forename: Sathapana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naorat
authors.forename: Rapeepun
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jommaroeng
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stall
authors.forename: Supaporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeeyapant
authors.forename: Praphan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phanuphak
authors.forename: Jordan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tappero
authors.forename: Frits
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Griensven
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology