Abstract
This study surveyed a convenience sample of 91 gay and bisexual men (62.7% black, 36.1% Hispanic), in the Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC, metropolitan areas. Approximately 72.2% of the sample had been tested for HIV antibodies. Most (95.6%) knew where to go to be tested. Reasons for avoiding HIV testing included being “too much to handle if [they] tested positive” (21.7%) and “concern over the lack of confidentiality” (17.4%), with 23% who avoided the test stating they would have been positive. Almost 23% reported that they would be “likely” to practice unsafe sex if they knew they were HIV+. Approximately 34% of the subjects reported having had sex with someone who has HIV+, had ARC, or was diagnosed with AIDS. Ninety percent of respondents knew that correct use of condoms offers protection from HIV infection. However, 36% did not know that natural skin condoms offer less protection than latex condoms, and 20% thought natural skin condoms were safer than latex. Oral sex was the most frequently reported sexual behavior, with over one third of the respondents “always” using this form of sexual expression. Approximately, 14% “always” experienced anal sex and 26.4% “often” engaged in this behavior during a sexual encounter. Twenty-six percent reported never having anal sex during the past 12 months. Twenty-one percent of the sample responded that being the insertive partner during anal intercourse offered protection from HIV infection. The authors concluded that it is feasible to reach Black and Hispanic gay men through the use of a community-based organization (CBO) charged to serve this population. As CBOs gain experience in the delivery of AIDS risk reduction programs, it will be important to make use of the information they gather on needs of high-risk underserved populations.