Reece M, Dodge B; National HIV Prevention Conference (2003 : Atlanta, Ga.).
Abstr Book 2003 Natl HIV Prev Conf July 27 30 2003 Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel Atlanta Ga Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 Atlanta Ga. 2003; abstract no. M3-A0602.
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Behaviors associated with seeking anonymous sexual partners in public places, commonly referred to as "cruising," and their associations with HIV transmission risk, have received attention in the research and erotic literatures over the past century. To date, little to none of this work has specifically studied these behaviors in the context of college campus venues and the men who use them for sex.METHODS: A mixed methods design was used to conduct an exploratory study on the phenomenon of cruising for sex on a college campus. In-depth interviews and detailed sexual behavior inventories were conducted with 30 men who identified as having participated in sexual activity with other men in public campus spaces.RESULTS: Across the men having sex in these venues, three behavioral themes emerged: 1) campus specific sex encounters represented a significant proportion of the male's overall sexual repertoire, 2) characteristics of the behaviors and the spaces simultaneously facilitated for some, and prevented for others, participation in HIV-risk behaviors, and 3) participants described behaviors and correlates that placed them at increased risk for STD infection.CONCLUSIONS: Although previous literature has characterized public sex venues as facilitating increased risk for HIV transmission, the findings of this study suggest that risky sexual behavior is a function of individual characteristics and is not systematically associated with the space where behaviors occur. Given the popularity of college venues for sexual activity by a range of men, they may be appropriate venues for the introduction of HIV prevention interventions. However, to be effective, they should consider the complexity of the social and cultural characteristics of cruising and include strategies that are realistic given the physical and structural characteristics of the venue itself.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Interpersonal Relations
- Interviews as Topic
- Male
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
- prevention & control
- transmission
Other ID:
UI: 102261701
From Meeting Abstracts