Sexual Health Among Bisexual Men

描述(申请人提供)：以前的艾滋病毒研究的一个重大缺陷是，它将“异性恋”传播和“同性恋”两极分化，而没有通过从事“双性恋”行为的个人调查这些途径之间潜在的实质性重叠。直接以双性恋男性为重点的有限研究突出了独特的艾滋病毒风险因素和预防需求。然而，关于与双性恋男性危险行为相关的因素如何通过干预而发生变化的信息很少。使用多种方法，这项发展研究研究的目的是：1.在美国中西部一个服务不足的地区，确定与增加双性恋男性感染艾滋病毒风险的性行为有关的个人和社会文化决定因素；2.从招募和参与的角度，评估让不同样本的双性恋男性参与一项旨在理解性健康风险水平的多方法研究的可行性，以便为随后性健康干预提供信息；以及3.获取有助于设计相关的、可获得的和符合文化的艾滋病毒/性传播感染预防信息，以便在随后旨在促进双性恋男性性健康的干预措施中使用。这项研究使用社区知情研究方法、深度访谈和对75名双性恋男性的不同样本的性传播感染诊断，将提供对个人和社会文化因素以及性和风险相关决策过程的丰富见解，这些可能是未来性健康促进工作的潜在要点。 公共卫生相关性：这项研究将提供最新数据，旨在开发和测试双性恋男性中有针对性的性健康干预措施，双性恋男性是艾滋病毒感染和传播的高危人群。科学成果将增加缺乏关于不同双性恋男性群体的社会、性和危险行为的循证信息的知识库。通过改善我们对这一以前研究不足的人群的理解，结果不仅将为未来的研究和干预努力提供信息，而且还将有利于双性恋男性及其社区。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A significant shortcoming of previous HIV research is that it has polarized "heterosexual" transmission and "homosexual" without investigating the potentially substantial overlap between these routes through individuals who engage in "bisexual" behaviors. Limited research focusing directly on bisexual men has highlighted unique HIV risk factors and prevention needs. However, little information is available on how factors associated with bisexual men's risk behavior may be amenable to change through intervention. Using multiple methods, this development research study aims to: 1. identify the individual and socio- cultural determinants related to the sexual interactions that increase risk of HIV acquisition in a diverse sample of bisexual men in an underserved area of the Midwestern United States; 2. evaluate the feasibility of engaging a diverse sample of bisexual men, in terms of recruitment and participation, in a multi-method study aimed at understanding the levels of risk to sexual health in order to inform a subsequent sexual health intervention; and 3. acquire information useful for designing relevant, accessible, and culturally-appropriate HIV/STI prevention information to be used in a subsequent intervention aimed at promoting sexual health among bisexual men. Using a community-informed research approach, in-depth interviews, and STI diagnostics from a diverse sample of 75 bisexual men, this study will provide rich insights into the individual and social-cultural factors, as well as the sexual and risk-related decision-making processes, that may be potential points of future sexual health promotion efforts. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This study will provide current data designed to develop and test a targeted sexual health intervention among bisexual men, a high risk population for HIV infection and transmission. Scientific outcomes will add to the knowledge base that is lacking evidenced-based information on the social, sexual, and risk behaviors of diverse groups of bisexual men. By improving our understanding of this previously understudied population, results will not only inform future research and intervention efforts but also be of benefit to bisexual men and their communities.