Assessing basic HIV transmission risks and the contextual factors associated with HIV risk behavior in men who have sex with men

HIV/AIDS remains a substantial health threat to men who have sex with men. Although new HIV medications have provided great benefits for many HIV-posi tive individuals, they have done little to protect HIV-negative men. Conseq uently, changing one's sexual practices remains the most effective way to r educe risk for HIV. However, to develop an effective intervention for reduc ing HIV risk, it is important to fully understand risk behavior. In this ar ticle, we detail the essential elements for conducting an HIV risk assessme nt as well as those contextual factors that may support risk behaviors. Fur ther, we discuss the importance of procuring an HIV test and the critical i ssues that may arise because of testing for HIV as well as the critical iss ues that may result from testing HIV-positive. Finally. we illustrate how w e integrate an HIV health risk assessment into a clinical interview. (C) 20 01 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.