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Inconsistent Condom Use with Steady and Casual Partners and Associated Factors among Sexually-Active Men who Have Sex with Men in Bangkok, Thailand

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HIV/STD risk behavior has not been examined in community samples of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand. The sexually-active sample (n=927) was recruited from bars, saunas, and parks; 20% identified as bisexual and 17% tested HIV-positive. Inconsistent (<100%) condom use was reported by 45% of those with steady partners and 21% of those with casual partners in the prior three months. 21% had heard of effective HIV treatments (n=194), among whom 44% believed HIV was less serious and 36% said their risk behavior had increased after hearing about the treatments. In multivariate analysis, HIV-positive status, gay-identification, getting most HIV information from the radio, believing HIV can be transmitted by mosquito bite, and concern about acquiring an STD were associated with inconsistent condom use during anal sex; slightly older age (25–29 vs. 18–24 years) was associated with more consistent condom use. HIV/STD risk-reduction strategies for MSM in Bangkok should clearly state sexual risk to individuals in this population.

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Acknowledgments

This assessment was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Thailand Ministry of Public Health–U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Collaboration. The authors are grateful to the participants and peer staff for their involvement in the project. We extend our appreciation to the information technology and laboratory staff for their dedication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Richard A. Jenkins, Ronald Stall, Jordan W. Tappero & Frits van Griensven

  2. Thailand Ministry of Public Health–U.S. CDC Collaboration, Nonthaburi, Thailand

    Sathapana Naorat, Supaporn Jeeyapant, Jordan W. Tappero & Frits van Griensven

  3. AIDS Research Centre, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand

    Rapeepun Jommaroeng & Praphan Phanuphak

  4. Rainbow Sky Organization, Bangkok, Thailand

    Rapeepun Jommaroeng

  5. currently Assistant Dean, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Ronald Stall

  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-37, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA

    Gordon Mansergh

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  1. Gordon Mansergh
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Correspondence to Gordon Mansergh.

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Mansergh, G., Naorat, S., Jommaroeng, R. et al. Inconsistent Condom Use with Steady and Casual Partners and Associated Factors among Sexually-Active Men who Have Sex with Men in Bangkok, Thailand. AIDS Behav 10, 743–751 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-006-9108-4

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