Beliefs about treatments for HIV/AIDS and sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men, 1997-2006.
Beliefs that HIV treatments reduce HIV transmission risks are related to increases in sexual risk behaviors, particularly unprotected anal intercourse among men who have sex with men (MSM). Changes in unprotected anal intercourse and prevention-related treatment beliefs were recently reported for surveys of mostly white gay men collected in 1997 and 2005. The current study extends this previous research by replicating the observed changes in behaviors and beliefs in anonymous community surveys collected in 2006. Results indicated clear and consistent increases in beliefs that HIV treatments reduce HIV transmission risks and increases in unprotected anal intercourse. These changes were observed for both HIV positive and non-HIV positive men. African American men endorsed the belief that HIV treatments protect against HIV transmission to a greater degree than White men. Results show that HIV prevention messages need to be updated to educate MSM about the realities of HIV viral concentrations and HIV transmission risks.
Kalichman
Seth C
SC
Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. seth.k@uconn.edu
Eaton
Lisa
L
White
Denise
D
Cherry
Charsey
C
Pope
Howard
H
Cain
Demetria
D
Kalichman
Moira O
MO
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
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