RISK BEHAVIOR FOR HIV TRANSMISSION AMONG GAY MEN SURVEYED IN SEATTLE BARS

Men attending four Seattle gay bars were asked to complete a self-admi nistered questionnaire including measures of sexual behavior, percepti ons of peer norms in the area of sexual safety, personal human immunod eficiency virus (HIV) risk estimate, and knowledge and use of a variet y of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention services. Tw enty-nine percent of the sample reported engaging in unprotected anal intercourse at least once during the 2 months before the survey. Diffe rences in peer norm perceptions, age, HIV risk estimate, and intent to be sexually safe in the future were found between those engaging in u nprotected anal intercourse and those not reporting unprotected anal i ntercourse. No significant differences were found in level of educatio n, use of AIDS prevention services, and whether or not a person had be en tested for HIV. Implications for prevention programs are discussed.