Predictors of HIV Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex with Men, Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women, and Transgender Women

ABSTRACT

Men who have sex with men, men who have sex with men and women, and transgender women are at high risk for HIV infection. This study seeks to clarify which known HIV risk factors (partner type, sex location, serodiscordance, multiple sex partners, substance use during sex) contribute to engagement in high-risk (unprotected receptive anal) sex in each population. Data collected from June 2005 through June 2008 indicate all three populations display different HIV sexual risk profiles. The data suggest that HIV-prevention interventions should be individually tailored to address the specific needs of these three highly vulnerable and impacted populations.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS
• sexual risk behaviors
• men who have sex with men (MSM)
• bisexual men
• gay men
• transgender women

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs (formerly Office of AIDS Programs and Policy), contract #H700861. Dr. Reback acknowledges the additional support from the National Institute of Mental Health (P30 MH58107 awarded to M. J. Rotheram-Borus, Ph.D.). The authors thank the outreach workers who conducted the field work and the assessments and implemented the interventions.

The lead author and coauthors do not have any financial conflicts of interest pertaining to this research. Both programs described in the manuscript were service programs and not research studies; thus, it was not required that potential participants sign an informed consent form nor was institutional review board approval required. However, all materials were approved by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs. Thus, there have been no informed consent notifications.