Persistence of High-Risk Sexual Activity among Homosexual Men in an Area of Low Incidence of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Before 1985 only five cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) had been diagnosed in New Mexico, and there was no information regarding prevalence of antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Of 166 gay and bisexual men tested in 1985 in New Mexico, 20% were found to have ant...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sexually transmitted diseases 1987-04, Vol.14 (2), p.79-82
Main Authors: JONES, CLIFTON C., WASKIN, HETTY, GERETY, BRIGID, SKIPPER, BETTY J., HULL, HARRY F., MERTZ, GREGORY J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - epidemiology
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - psychology
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - transmission
Adult
Antibodies, Viral - analysis
Biological and medical sciences
HIV - immunology
Homosexuality
Humans
Immunodeficiencies
Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies
Immunopathology
Male
Medical sciences
New Mexico
Original Articles
Risk
Sexual Behavior
Urban Population
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Summary:Before 1985 only five cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) had been diagnosed in New Mexico, and there was no information regarding prevalence of antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Of 166 gay and bisexual men tested in 1985 in New Mexico, 20% were found to have antibody to HIV. Of 153 responding participants, 107 (70%) reported practicing receptive anal intercourse in the last 12 months, and only 13% of the 107 reported the regular use of condoms. Highrisk sexual activity may have persisted in part because of underestimation of the local risk of acquiring HIV infection. Voluntary serologic testing and education of members of high-risk groups should be stressed in areas where the incidences of AIDS and of seropositivity to HIV are low but where high-risk sexual activity may still be prevalent.
ISSN:0148-5717
1537-4521
DOI:10.1097/00007435-198704000-00004