RISK FOR HIV-INFECTION AMONG BISEXUAL MEN SEEKING HIV-PREVENTION SERVICES AND RISKS POSED TO THEIR FEMALE PARTNERS

The present study interviewed gay (n = 473) and bisexual men (n = 146) as part of an HIV prevention program and investigated social cognitiv e factors associated with HIV risk. Results indicated that HIV risk in homosexual men was associated with sexual openness and connections to gay communities, factors not associated with risk for bisexual men. C ompared with men at lower risk, those who practiced high-risk sex scor ed lower on measures of perceived safer sex norms, safer sex self-effi cacy, and social skills. Bisexual men with primary female partners oft en had not disclosed their bisexuality to female partners (75%), and 6 4% had not modified their behavior to protect female partners. Bisexua l men who engage in high-risk behaviors therefore pose a risk to femal e partners who may be unaware of their involvement with men.