SEXUAL RISK AND HIV-TESTING BEHAVIOR BY GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN IN CANADA

Behavioural epidemiology is an important aspect of HIV research, parti cularly among marginalized populations where measurement of rates of i nfection have nor been conducted. This Canadian study provides a count ry-wide analysis of the characteristics and behaviours of gay and bise xual men, and examines the influence of geographic, socio-demographic and lifestyle influences on sexual behaviour and test-seeking. A purpo sive sample of 4,803 men was recruited through gay-identified venues. In order to provide national representation seven sampling strata were defined. Data were collected by self-completed questionnaire. A three -level hierarchical logistic regression analysis is used to model two behaviours, unprotected anal intercourse and test-seeking. The results showed that, nationally, 22.9% of respondents reported at least one e pisode of unprotected anal intercourse in the previous 3 months, and 6 3% had been tested. Characteristics and behaviours of men varied acros s the country. Geographic differences appear to be less important in e xplaining unprotected anal intercourse than test-seeking. In conclusio n, policy, programmes and social environment appear to exert an import ant influence on test-seeking, whereas cultural and psychosocial dimen sions appear to have a greater influence on sexual behaviour.