Goggin M, Sotiropoulos J; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12; 10: 54 (abstract no. 169D).
LaTrobe University, Victoria, Australia.
OBJECTIVE: This is the world's first study to evaluate a national, mainstream media campaign targeting young gay males. The study describes the variability in age, sexuality, ethnicity & sexual experience among young Australian males who responded, particularly young gays. METHOD: Promoting HIV prevention peer support groups, advertisements appeared in popular youth magazines. From all rural & metropolitan areas in Australia, 1306 young people returned the advertisement coupons requesting information. In addition to information, questionnaires were sent asking about sexual identity, sexual activity & openness about their sexuality. RESULTS: 478 young males (37% of total coupon responses), aged 11 to 26 (mean = 19.0), returned questionnaires, 45% from rural areas. 80% identified as gay, 12% as bisexual, and 8% as straight. 43% of those aged 15 or younger had had sex with another male, increasing with age to 73% by age 20. 31% of males had also had sex with women. A manova analysis showed that those sexually experienced with both sexes were more likely to identify as gay and talk about their feelings to others than those sexually experienced with only men or women or with no experience. Both rural and non English speaking background males were less sexually experienced and less likely to have told others of gay feelings. 73% had not told a family member about gay feelings. 48% had told no one. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Mainstream media is highly effective in targeting young gay men at risk of HIV infection. The majority of respondents were male adolescents identifying as gay, sexually active, but remaining silent about their sexuality and isolated from support. Direct mail is highly effective in sending AIDS and sexuality information to gay adolescents in rural, isolated or culturally difficult environments who would otherwise not access support.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Australia
- Bisexuality
- Female
- Gender Identity
- HIV Infections
- Homosexuality
- Homosexuality, Male
- Humans
- Male
- Peer Group
- Questionnaires
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexuality
Other ID:
UI: 102209644
From Meeting Abstracts