Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Physiology and Health
Bridonna Reed - Mississippi Valley State University
Co-Author(s): Conelous Stiff III, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS Brenkeevia Langston, Delta State University, Cleveland, MS
The main source of HIV transmission is among men who have sex with men (MSM) in through unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Condoms are a method that reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to partners. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between the usage of condoms during anal sex among HIV positive and Non-HIV MSM with main and casual partners. Descriptive and association testing were used to conduct this study, and participants were recruited from the MARI study. The Minority Aids Research Initiative (MARI) was developed to examine the sexual behavior and the prevalence of HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infections) in African-American (AA) males who have sex with males (MSM) in the Southeastern United States. Overall, the project is an ecological study that aims to gain a better understanding of the complex interaction between individual-level factors and environmental contexts, as well as their association with high-risk sexual behaviors among AA MSM. The research study is being conducted by MBK at two sites located in the Southeastern region of the United States – Jackson, MS & Atlanta, GA. The results show that 52% of HIV positive men reported not always using condoms with a main partner over a one year period; 38% of HIV positive men reported not always using condoms with a casual partner over a one year period. These results suggest that there are factors that influence why MSM choose not to use condoms during intercourse such as they may not fit – too large or too small – they may be allergic, or simply do not like the way they feel. Future research should examine the factors that contribute to high number of MSM in relationships that do use condoms.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Mississippi Inbre
Faculty Advisor: Rachel Beecham, rvbeecham@yahoo.com
Role: With this research, my job was to collect the data from the MARI Study. With that data, I then had to analyze and interpret the data to be placed in the format of a graph that could be read with simplicity.