Sexual behavior patterns and HIV risks in bisexual men compared to exclusively heterosexual and homosexual men
OBJECTIVE: To compare patterns of sexual behavior among bisexual, heterosexual and homosexual men. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A household probability survey was carried out in Mexico City in 1992-1993 using the national health surveys sampling frame. Information from 8 068 men was obtained; however, the main analysis of this paper refers only to men sexually active in the previous 5 years. RESULTS: Bisexuals reported more prevalent anal intercourse with women (16% vs. 3%, p=0.01), and more sexual encounters with female sex workers than exclusive heterosexuals (10% vs. 4%; p=0.04). Bisexuals used condoms more often with sex workers than did heterosexuals (p=0.01). Most of the bisexuals (79%) did not engage in anal receptive or insertive intercourse with males in the previous year, practicing instead oral insertive sex or only masturbation; 35% of homosexuals did not report practicing anal sex. Bisexuals who engaged in anal intercourse had less anal receptive behavior than homosexuals (13% vs. 60%, p<0.01); of these, due to condom use, only 7% of bisexuals and 18% of homosexuals had unprotected anal receptive sex in the last intercourse with a male. CONCLUSIONS: Bisexuals practice less risky sexual behavior with males than exclusive homosexuals. This finding may imply that bisexual men in Mexico are an ineffective epidemiological bridge for HIV transmission.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública
2003
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0036-36342003001100012 |
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