title: High-risk sexual behavior, HIV/STD prevalence, and risk predictors in the social networks of young Roma (Gypsy) men in Bulgaria.
abstract: Roma (Gypsies), the largest and most disadvantaged ethnic minority group in Europe, are believed to be vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. This study's aim was to examine HIV risk in 6 Roma male sociocentric networks (n = 405 men) in Bulgaria. Participants were interviewed concerning their risk practices and tested for HIV/STDs. High-risk sexual behaviors were common. Over 57% of men had multiple sexual partners in the past 3 months. Over one-third of men reported both male and female partners in the past year. Condom use was low. Greater levels of sexual risk were associated with lower intentions and self-efficacy for using condoms, drug use, having male partners, knowing HIV-positive persons, and having higher AIDS knowledge but no prior HIV testing. Two men had HIV infection, 3.7% gonorrhea, and 5.2% chlamydia. HIV prevention interventions directed toward high-risk social networks of Roma are needed before HIV infection becomes more widely established.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Center for AIDS Intervention Research, International HIV Prevention Research Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, 2071 North Summit Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA. yuri@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Yuri A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Amirkhanian
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kabakchieva
authors.forename: Radostina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antonova
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vassileva
authors.forename: Wayne J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Difranceisco
authors.forename: Timothy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: McAuliffe
authors.forename: Boyan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vassilev
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petrova
authors.forename: Roman A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Khoursine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D006178:Romani People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012944:Social Support; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult