The Interaction of Sexual Identity With Sexual Behavior and Its Influence on HIV Risk Among Latino Men: Results of a Community Survey in Northern San Diego County, California

To inform efforts to reduce Latinos' HIV risk, the authors of the current study examined the sexual behavior, sexual identities, and HIV risk factors of a community sample of Latino men.

In 2005 and 2006, 680 Latino men in randomly selected, targeted community venues in San Diego County completed an anonymous, self-administered survey.

Of respondents, most (92.3 percent) self-identified as heterosexual, while 2.2 percent, 4.9 percent and 0.6 percent self-identified as bisexual, gay or other orientation, respectively. Overall, 4.8 percent of heterosexually identified men had a lifetime history of anal intercourse with men. Compared with behaviorally heterosexual men, heterosexually self-identified men who had sex with both men and women were more likely to have had an STD, to have unprotected intercourse with female partners, and to report having sex while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Respondents who self-identified as bisexual did not differ from behaviorally heterosexual men in these risk factors.

"Latino men who have a heterosexual identity and bisexual practices are at greater risk of HIV infection, and efforts to reduce HIV risk among Latinos should target this group," the authors concluded.

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