Beyond the Down Low: sexual risk, protection, and disclosure among at-risk Black men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW).
Little information is available about sexual risk, protective, and disclosure practices among Black bisexually active men and how these may be amenable to intervention when necessary. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 at-risk urban Black men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW). Participants reported protecting themselves and their partners through routine HIV testing, using condoms consistently, engaging in strategic positioning during sexual activity, and limiting the number of sexual partners. In addition, they described several reasons for not using protection, including not having condoms available, enjoying sexual activity more without condoms, and perceiving female partners to be "safer" than male partners. Disclosure of bisexuality was complex and reportedly difficult, in particular to female and gay-identified male partners. Future interventions must not only build protection and disclosure skills among MSMW, but also increase broader social awareness and acceptance of male bisexuality.
Dodge
Brian
B
Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER 116, 1025 E. Seventh St., Bloomington, IN 47405-7109, USA. bmdodge@indiana.edu
Jeffries
William L
WL
Sandfort
Theo G M
TG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data