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Abstract
Effects of structure-level intervention on increasing condom availability and reducing risky sexual behaviors for gay bathhouse attendees
N.Y. Ko1, H.C. Lee2, C.C. Hung3, J.L. Chang4, N.Y. Lee2, C.M. Chang2, M.P. Lee5, H.T. Chang4, W.C. Ko2
Background: Gay bathhouses where men having sex with men (MSM) engaged in anonymous sex are critical places for initiating HIV prevention intervention. To evaluate the effects of a structure-level intervention in reducing unprotected sexual behaviors and increasing condom accessibility and its relation to the prevalence of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in gay bathhouse attendees in Taiwan.
Methods: A group comparison study was conducted at nine gay bathhouses across three cities from 2004 to 2006 in Taiwan. A structure-level intervention, Condom Availability and Accessibility (CAA), focused on increasing condom distribution and accessibility inside the bathhouses was implemented at one bathhouse in each city. Of 902 participants, 270 were surveyed six months after the intervention was conducted. Study participants were invited to complete a questionnaire and to be screened for HIV infection and STIs.
Results: At the six-month follow-up, patrons attending bathhouses with intervention were more likely to report accessing condoms inside bathhouses than those attending controls (92.6% vs. 81.3%, P=0.005), and condoms were more likely to be available at the reception desk of the bathhouse entrance (87.5% in intervention bathhouses vs.69.4% in control, P<0.001). Patrons attending bathhouses with intervention were more likely to report consistent condom use during anal intercourse than controls (75.4% vs. 62.3%, P=0.028). However, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of HIV infection and STIs between men enrolled in control and those in intervention bathhouses at the six-month follow-up.
Conclusions: Structural intervention aimed at increasing both condom availability and accessibility was associated with increased condom distribution and decreased unprotected anal intercourse in gay bathhouses.
AIDS 2008 - XVII International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
WEPE0356
Suggested Citation
"N.Y.Ko, et al.
Effects of structure-level intervention on increasing condom availability and reducing risky sexual behaviors for gay bathhouse attendees.
:
AIDS 2008 - XVII International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
WEPE0356"
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