title: Setting the scene: locations for meeting sex partners among behaviorally bisexual men in Vientiane, Laos, and opportunities for health promotion.
abstract: Behaviorally bisexual men (BBM) in Vientiane, Laos report high-risk sexual behaviors. We explore settings for meeting sex partners and associated risk behaviors among BBM in Laos. BBM and their sexual partners were recruited in Vientiane Capital using modified snowball sampling (2010). Settings for usually meeting sex partners and associations with risk behaviors were assessed. Among 88 BBM, the most common settings for men meeting male, kathoey, and female sex partners were private residences (48%, 37%, 51%, respectively) and hospitality settings (39%, 31%, 40%, respectively). Hospitality settings were more commonly reported by heterosexual-identifying BBM, and private residences more commonly reported by bisexual/homosexual-identifying BBM. Inconsistent condom use was high across partners and settings. Meeting partners in hospitality settings was associated with reporting a high number of female sex partners and frequently drinking alcohol before sex. Our results suggest that targeted health promotion initiatives in bars, clubs, and beer-shops could reach a high proportion of high-risk bisexual men, particularly heterosexual-identifying BBM.
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bowring
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Gemert
authors.forename: Kongchay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vongsaiya
authors.forename: Chad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Amphoy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sihavong
authors.forename: Chansy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phimphachanh
authors.forename: Niramonh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chanlivong
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Agius
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toole
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hellard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult