CONTINUING HIGH PREVALENCE OF HIV AND RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG YOUNG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN - THE YOUNG MENS SURVEY IN THE SAN-FRANCISCO BAYAREA IN 1992 TO 1993 AND IN 1994 TO 1995

Several recent studies have shown high rates of HIV infection and risk behavior among young men who have sex with men (MSM). To assess the d irection of the epidemic in this population, we replicated a venue-bas ed study performed in the San Francisco Bay Area during 1992 and 1993. From May 1993 to September 1995, we surveyed 675 MSM aged between 17 and 22. After statistical adjustment for age, ethnicity, residence, an d site of recruitment, seroprevalence did not change significantly bet ween the 1992 to 1993 (8.4%) and the 1993 to 1995 (6.7%) surveys. Simi larly, no significant changes were found in the rates during the previ ous 6 months of unprotected receptive anal intercourse (23.4% versus 2 4.9%), injection drug use (8.0% versus 7.8%), or needle sharing among injection drug users (56.3% versus 64.5%) between the two surveys. Des pite the increased attention that the problem of high risk behavior am ong young MSM has received, effective prevention interventions for MSM are needed as profoundly now as they had been several years ago.