Calzavara L, Haubrich DJ, Ryder K, Myers T; and the Polaris Study Team; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. ThOrD686.
L. Calzavara, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, McMurrich Building, 3rd Floor, 12 Queen's Park Crescent West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada, Tel.: +(416) 978-4643, Fax: +(416) 971-2704, E-mail: liviana.calzavara@utoronto.ca
Objective: To provide an understanding of how men appraise sex in a bathhouse and its relationship to HIV. Method: 23 men (14 HIV+, 9 HIV-) aged 21 to 59 who have had sex at a bathhouse were selected from the Polaris Seroconversion Study. Polaris is a prospective qualitative and quantitative study of recent seroconverters and matched negative controls living in Ontario, Canada. Eligible participants are identified through Ontario's HIV diagnostic laboratory and recruited through physicians and ASOs. This abstract is based on semi-structured interviews (September 1999-January 2000) that focussed on participants' cognitive appraisals of bathhouse experiences. The interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, verified and subjected to thematic analysis and cognitive-phenomenological interpretation. Analysis of the data focused on how men who have sex with men cope in an anonymous encounter. Results: Easy access to anonymous sex and sexual release were the predominant reasons why participants went to the bathhouse. Use of alcohol and drugs was widely reported. The bathhouse is an alternative to more socially ritualistic ways in which men engage in sex with men in an environment that is viewed as personally safe. The bathhouse is perceived as an 'HIV aware' environment where unprotected sex occurs. Bathhouse sex was largely described as a de-personalized experience characterized by non-verbal discourse and cognitive-emotional dissonance i.e. emotional intimacy vs negative descriptions of their bathhouse experience. HIV+ status is largely assumed, but is not necessarily a determinant of safer sex behaviour. Conclusions: Bathhouses are critical environments for the promotion of safer sex activities. Moral conceptions of the bathhouse, of self, and of those who frequent them are barriers to the development of safer sexual practices. Coping strategies include personal, social and behavioural mechanisms that create barriers to safer sex practices.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Canada
- Case-Control Studies
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Learning
- Longitudinal Studies
- Love
- Male
- Ontario
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
Other ID:
UI: 102242013
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