Relationship characteristics and sexual risk-taking in young men who have sex with men.

摘要: The vast majority of HIV transmissions occur in the context a sexual dyad (CDC, 2010b), but most research is focused on individuals as unit analysis (Karney, et al., 2010; Zea, Reisen, Poppen, & Bianchi, 2009). Recent has highlighted value considering relationship factors predictors transmission and for intervention. Sullivan colleagues (2009) reported that among men who have sex with (MSM) 68% were main partnership, which defined by National Behavioral Surveillance System “someone you feel committed to above all others” (p. 1155). This was contrasted only 32% casual partnerships, contradicted traditional thinking relationships should be interventions MSM. Disparities prevalence between Black White MSM also been poorly explained individual behavior (Millett, Flores, Peterson, Bakeman, 2007), one study young aged 23-29 found partner characteristics partially accounted race difference (Bingham 2003). In particular, this indicated having had an older, male helped explain racial disparity rates. Taken together, these studies illustrate partners may related risk. The current explored effects frequency unprotected MSM, account nearly 70% new HIV/AIDS diagnoses adolescents adults U.S. 2010a). CDC estimated diagnosis rates are 60 times rate other 54 women (Purcell 2010). Furthermore, (ages 13 24) showed highest increase infections 2001 2006 2008), 93% MSM. Our approach builds prior work showing risk behaviors differ not individuals, across occasions (e.g., Cooper, Mustanski, 2007; Zea These demonstrated variability condom use within protected engage different or context. Here we partnership analyses; our extends methodology used past cross-sectional adult using longitudinal design allowed inclusion more partnerships over longer timeframe Past generally factor at time (Gorbach Holmes, 2003), extended simultaneously multiple characteristics, thereby estimating relative importance each when considered conjunction factors.