Abstract
This study examined sexual practices, condom use, and psychosocial correlates of condom use in a convenience sample of 187 Chinese gay men in Hong Kong. Among those who were sexually active and answered the item on condom use (n = 164), 22% never used condoms, 39% were inconsistent condom users, and 39% used condoms every time they engaged in sexual activities in the past 6 months. Compared to inconsistent and noncondom users, consistent condom users had more positive feelings toward condom use, perceived greater vulnerability to STD/AIDS infections, showed greater self-acceptance and disclosure of their homosexual sexual orientation, were more involved with local gay communities, endorsed more favorable attitudes toward coming out, and had a lower level of perceived discrimination because of their homosexual sexual orientation. The two groups did not differ significantly on perceived partner reaction to condom use. Results of a logistic regression analysis showed that positive feelings toward condom use were the most salient correlate of consistent condom use.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, M. K., & Mavis, B. E. (1996). Sources of coming out self-efficacy for lesbians.Journal of Homosexuality, 32, 37-52.
Basen-Engquist, K., & Parcel, G. S. (1992). Attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy: A model of adolescents' HIV-related sexual risk behavior.Health Educational Quarterly, 19, 263-277.
Bryan, A. D., Aiken, L. S., & West, S. G. (1996). Increasing condom use: Evaluation of a theory-based intervention to prevent sexually transmitted diseases in young women.Health Psychology, 15, 371-382.
Catania, J. A., Coates, T. J., Stall, R., Turner, H., Peterson, J., Hearest, N., et al. (1992). Prevalence of AIDS-related risk factors and condom use in the United States.Science, 258, 1101-1106.
Catania, J. A., Osmond, D., Stall, R., Pollack, L., Paul, J. P., Blower, S., et al. (2001). The continuing HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men.American Journal of Public Health, 91, 907-914.
Census and Statistics Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). (2001).The 2001 population census. HKSAR: Author.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2001).HIV/AIDS surveillance report. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2003). HIV/STD risks in young men who have sex with men who do not disclose their sexual orientation—six U.S. Cities 1994–2000.MMWR, 52(5), 81-85.
Choi, K., Han, C., Hudes, E., & Kegeles, S. (2002). Unprotected sex and associated risk factors among young Asian and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men.AIDS Education and Prevention, 14, 472-481.
Ekstrand, M. L., Stall, R., Paul, J., Osmond, D., & Coates, T. J. (1999). Gay men report high rates of unprotected anal sex with partners of unknown or discordant HIV status.AIDS, 13, 1525-1534.
Fishbein, M., Chan, D., O'Reilly, K., Schnell, D., Wood, R., Beeker, C., et al. (1993). Factors influencing gay men's attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions with respect to performing sexual behaviors.Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 23, 417-438.
Fisher, J. D., & Fisher, W. A. (1992). Changing AIDS-risk behavior.Psychological Bulletin, 111, 455-474.
Gold, R. S., & Skinner, M. J. (1992). Situational factors and thought processes associated with unprotected intercourse in young gay men.AIDS, 6, 1021-1030.
Hong Kong Department of Health. (2002).HIV surveillance reports. Hong Kong: Department of Health, Hong Kong SAR Government.
Hong Kong Mental Health Ordinance. (1999). Chapter 136. Hong Kong Government Gazzette, #LN29.
Jones, R. H., Kwan, Y. K., & Candlin, C. N. (2000).A preliminary investigation of HIV vulnerability and risk behavior among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong.
Kelly, J., St. Lawrence, J., Brasfield, T., Lemke, A., Amidel, T., & Roffman, R. (1990). Psychological factors that predict AIDS high-risk versus AIDS precautionary behavior.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 117-120.
Lau, J. T. F., Siah, P. C., & Tsui, H. Y. (2002). A study of the STD/AIDS related attitudes and behaviors of men who have sex with men in Hong Kong.Archives of Sexual Behavior, 31, 367-373.
McKirnan, D. J., Stokes, J. P., Doll, L. S., & Burzette, R. G. (1995). Bisexually active men: Social characteristics and sexual behavior.Journal of Sex Research, 32, 64-75.
Middelton, A., & Aggleton, P. (2001). Reflection and dialogue for HIV prevention among young gay man.AIDS Care, 13, 515-526.
Molitor, F., Facer, M., & Ruiz, J. D. (1999). Safer sex communication and unsafe sexual behavior among young men who have sex with men in California.Archives of Sexual Behavior, 28, 335-343.
Morokoff, P. J., Quina, K., Harlow, L. L., Whitmire, L., Grimley, D. M., Gibson, P. R., et al. (1997). Sexual assertiveness scale (SAS) for women: Development and validation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73, 790-804.
Osmond, D. H., Page, K., Wiley, J., Garrett, K., Sheppard, H. W., Moss, A. R., et al. (1994). Human immunodeficiency virus infection in homosexual/bisexual men, ages 18–29; the San Francisco Young Men's Health Study.American Journal of Public Health, 84, 1933-1937.
Prestage, G., Van de Ven, P., Grulich, A., Kippas, S., McInnes, D., & Hendry, O. (2001). Gay men's casual sex encounters: Discussing HIV and using condoms.AIDS Care, 13, 277-284.
Queer Sisters & Hong Kong Women Christian Council. (1998).Human rights report on sexual rights, 1998. Hong Kong: Author.
Ratliff-Crain, J., Donald, K. M., & Dalton, J. (1999). High-risk sexual behavior at a Midwestern university: A confirmatory survey.Family Planning Perspectives, 27, 79-82.
Rosario, M., Hunter, J., Maguen, S., Gwadz, M., & Smith, R. (2001). The coming-out process and its adaptational and health-related associations among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths: Stipulation and exploration of a model.American Journal of Community Psychology, 29, 133-160.
Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Marelich, W. D., & Srinivasan, S. (1999). HIV risk among homosexual, bisexual, and heterosexual male and female youths.Archives of Sexual Behavior, 28, 159-177.
Sacco, W. P., & Rickman, R. L. (1996). AIDS-relevant condom use by gay and bisexual men: The role of person variables and the interpersonal situation.AIDS Education and Prevention, 8, 430-443.
Serovich, J. M., & Greene, K. (1997). Predictors of adolescent sexual risk taking behaviors which put them at risk for contracting HIV.Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 26, 429-444.
Stokes, J. P., Vanable, P., & McKirnan, D. J. (1997). Comparing gay and bisexual men on sexual behavior, condom use, and psychosocial variables related to HIV/AIDS.Archives of Sexual Behavior, 26, 383-397.
Tang, C., Lai, F., & Chung, T. (1997). Assessment of sexual functioning for Chinese college students.Archives of Sexual Behavior, 26, 79-90.
Tang, C. S., Wong, C., & Lee, A. M. (2001). Gender-related psychosocial and cultural factors associated with condom use among Chinese married women.AIDS Education and Prevention, 13, 329-342.
Troiden, R. R. (1993). The formation of homosexual identities.Journal of Homosexuality, 17, 43-73.
United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. (2002).Report on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Geneva: Author.
Waldo, C. R., Hesson-McInnis, M. S., & D'Augelli, A. R. (1998). Antecedents and consequences of victimization of lesbian, gay, and bisexual young people: A structural model comparing rural university and urban samples.American Journal of Community Psychology, 26, 307-334.
Weinberg, M. S., & Williams, C. J. (1974).Male homosexuals: Their problems and adaptations. New York: Oxford University Press.
Wong, C., & Tang, C. (2001). Understanding heterosexual Chinese college students' intention to adopt safer sex behaviors.Journal of Sex Research, 38, 118-126.
Wulfert, E., Wan, C. K., & Backus, C. A. (1996). Gay men's safer sex behavior: An integration of three models.Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 19, 345-366.
Zhang, B., Liu, D., Li, X., & Hu, T. (2000). A survey of men who have sex with men: Mainland China.American Journal of Public Health, 90, 1949-1950.
Zhang, K., Li, D., Li, H., & Beck, J. (1999). Changing sexual attitudes and behaviors in China: Implications for the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.AIDS Care, 11, 581-589.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wong, Cy., Tang, C.Sk. Sexual Practices and Psychosocial Correlates of Current Condom Use Among Chinese Gay Men in Hong Kong. Arch Sex Behav 33, 159–167 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ASEB.0000014330.67201.1b
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ASEB.0000014330.67201.1b