title: Links between sex-related expectations about alcohol, heavy episodic drinking and sexual risk among young men in a shantytown in Lima, Peru.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol use is frequently identified as a contributor to risky sexual behaviors; however, research results are mixed. Given the conflicting evidence, researchers have focused on other factors, such as expectations about alcohol's effects that might help explain the relationship of alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data from 312 sexually experienced males aged 18-30 in a shantytown in Lima, Peru, were used in logistic regression models to identify associations of heavy episodic drinking and sex-related expectations about alcohol with sexual risk behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Heavy episodic drinking was associated with having had two or more sexual partners and having had sex with a casual partner in the past year (odds ratios, 2.8 and 2.5, respectively). After controlling for alcohol consumption, sex-related expectations about alcohol were associated with these high-risk sexual behaviors, as well as with not using a condom at last sex (1.2) and not using a condom at last sex with a casual partner (1.3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beliefs about the effect of alcohol on sexual performance could help explain links between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behavior not completely accounted for by the pharmacological effects of alcohol.
authors.affiliation: Asociación Benéfica PRISMA, Lima, Peru. galvezbuccollini@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Juan Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gálvez-Buccollini
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paz-Soldan
authors.forename: Phabiola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: DeLea
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gilman
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Anthony
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010568:Peru; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires