DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTION OF RISK FOR HIV-INFECTION WITH STEADY AND NONSTEADY PARTNERS AMONG HOMOSEXUAL MEN

In this study it was assessed whether homosexual men who practiced unp rotected anogenital intercourse with steady and non-steady partners su bjectively perceived their behaviors to be risky. Data were collected from 165 homosexual participants in an ongoing cohort study who report ed unprotected anal sex. A variety of psychological factors which coul d possibly explain why some men were at risk but did not perceive thei r behavior as such, were investigated. This study showed that the majo rity of men who engaged in sexual risk behaviors within their primary relationship did not subjectively appraise their behavior as risky. Th e factors found to explain this discrepancy were not having had sex wi th a partner known to be HIV infected or to have AIDS (for couples of unknown serostatus) and not having had friends or relatives who were i ll or had died (for seronegative couples), Homosexual men who had unpr otected anal sex with casual partners generally were aware of the risk involved in their behavior.