The experience of relapse to unsafe sexual behavior among HIV-positive, heterosexual, minority men

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the phenomenon of rela pse to unsafe sexual behavior in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positiv e, heterosexual, minority men. In-depth interviews were conducted by using a purposive sample of 18 HIV-positive, heterosexual, minority men who were recruited from an outpatient acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) clin ic in upstate New York and a community-based HIV/AIDS service organization in New York City. All participants expressed concern about the seriousness and health threat of unsafe sexual behaviors. The perceived benefits and ba rriers to unsafe sexual practices were identified. Content analysis reveale d the following themes related to relapse to unsafe sexual behavior: drug a nd alcohol use, state of mind, "looking good" and "helping" fallacies, male -female relationship issues, influence of friends, weighing the risks, sexu al preparation, uncontrollable sexual urges, and the symbolic meaning of co ndoms. Clinical implications related to health assessment, interventions, a nd health education and prevention programs for HIV-positive heterosexual, minority men and their sexual partners are presented. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.