Safer sex communication and unsafe sexual behavior among young men who have sex with men in California

Our objective was to investigate sexual communication and risk-taking behav iors among young men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM aged 17 to 25 years w ere recruited from four areas throughout California. The construct Safer Se x Communication, assessed through principal-components analysis, was define d as perceived efficacy or experience in minimizing the risk of sexual HIV infection through communication with partners. In the 6 months prior to the survey 35.6% of the MSM had participated in unprotected anal intercourse ( UAI). Adjusted logistic regression analyses found low Safer Sex Communicati on to be predictive of UAI. In addition, negative attitudes toward safe sex , high perceived risk of HIV infection, 10 or more male sex partners during the previous 6 months, and use of cocaine in the past 6 months were also i ndependently related to UAI. Safer Sex Communication skills should be an ou tcome of interventions designed to prevent HIV transmission among young MSM .