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Beliefs About Treatments for HIV/AIDS and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who have Sex with Men, 1997–2006

Journal of Behavioral Medicine volume 30, pages 497–503 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Beliefs that HIV treatments reduce HIV transmission risks are related to increases in sexual risk behaviors, particularly unprotected anal intercourse among men who have sex with men (MSM). Changes in unprotected anal intercourse and prevention-related treatment beliefs were recently reported for surveys of mostly white gay men collected in 1997 and 2005. The current study extends this previous research by replicating the observed changes in behaviors and beliefs in anonymous community surveys collected in 2006. Results indicated clear and consistent increases in beliefs that HIV treatments reduce HIV transmission risks and increases in unprotected anal intercourse. These changes were observed for both HIV positive and non-HIV positive men. African American men endorsed the belief that HIV treatments protect against HIV transmission to a greater degree than White men. Results show that HIV prevention messages need to be updated to educate MSM about the realities of HIV viral concentrations and HIV transmission risks.

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Acknowledgement

The authors thank the AIDS Survival Project of Atlanta and In The Life Atlanta for their assistance with data collection. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Grant R01-MH71164 supported this research.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

    Seth C. Kalichman, Lisa Eaton, Denise White, Charsey Cherry, Howard Pope, Demetria Cain & Moira O. Kalichman

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  1. Seth C. Kalichman
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  2. Lisa Eaton
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  3. Denise White
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  4. Charsey Cherry
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  5. Howard Pope
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  6. Demetria Cain
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  7. Moira O. Kalichman
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Correspondence to Seth C. Kalichman.

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Kalichman, S.C., Eaton, L., White, D. et al. Beliefs About Treatments for HIV/AIDS and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who have Sex with Men, 1997–2006. J Behav Med 30, 497–503 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-007-9123-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-007-9123-6

Keywords

  • HIV/AIDS prevention
  • Risk perceptions
  • Treatment beliefs
  • Sexual risk behavior