Rosser BR, Bockting WO, Short BJ, Ross MW; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 366 (abstract no. 23125).
Program in Human Sexuality, U of MN, Minneapolis, USA.
OBJECTIVE: This study is among the first to quantify 1) an hypothesized relationship between internalized homophobia (IH) and unsafe sex in men who have sex with men (MSM), and 2) to demonstrate if internalized homophobia can be significantly altered using a new sexual health HIV prevention model targeting MSM. DESIGN: Prospective, uncontrolled trial with 4-month follow-up. METHODS: As part of a sexual health seminar, 197 MSM completed a pre-test survey (98% response), 84% completed an immediate post-test, and 118 (58.4%) completed a four-month follow-up. Ross and Rosser's (1996) Reactions to Homosexuality scale was used to assess IH. RESULTS: MSM with high IH were .2 times as likely to engage in anal intercourse compared with those with low IH. However, those with low IH were 6.7 times more likely not to use condoms when having anal intercourse. While those most uncomfortable with public identification as gay were .18 times as likely to engage in unsafe sex, those with high moral/religious homophobia were 12.8 times more likely to report engaging in unsafe sex. There was a significant decrease in IH which remained significantly lower at the four-month follow-up. Overall, IH appears to be both protective and a risk factor for unsafe sex. CONCLUSION: Internalized homophobia is an important mediator for HIV risk in MSM, with subscales associated both positively and negatively with unsafe sex. MSM who are more homophobic are more likely to avoid anal intercourse, but when they do engage in anal intercourse, they are much less likely to use a condom. Internalized homophobia subscales identify subpopulations of MSM to target.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Condoms
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Homosexuality, Male
- Humans
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Prejudice
- Risk Factors
- Unsafe Sex
Other ID:
UI: 102228549
From Meeting Abstracts