["Sex buddies": a high risk behavior for contracting HIV among homo/bisexual men].
OBJECTIVE
Despite prevention efforts, the prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) remains substantial among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study describes and analyzes how a group of MSM manages sexual risk with sexual partners.


METHODS
Qualitative study by means in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 MSM, aged 21 to 40 years old, who had had at least one episode of UAI within the previous 3 months. A grounded theory approach was used to understand sexual risk management with sexual partners as seen by the MSM interviewed.


RESULTS
Most MSM were involved in UAI when they established relationships with <<sex buddies>> as a way to balance their need for sexual expression with their need for sexual security. In these relationships, the partner's serostatus was assessed on the basis of trust and the assumption of sharing the same serologic status.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjective evaluations (e.g. trust, intuition) played a key role in the decision to engage in UAI with <<sex buddies>> without precise knowledge of their HIV serostatus. Future approaches need to include the role of subjectivity in making decisions related to risk management and the specific contexts (e.g. type of sexual partner) in which UAI takes place.
Fernández-Dávila
Percy
P
Stop SIDA, Barcelona, España. percy@stopsida.org
D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D012308:Risk Management; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D013030:Spain; D035502:Trust; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data