Probability sample estimates of bathhouse sexual risk behavior

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2007 Jun 1;45(2):231-8. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e318055601e.

Abstract

Objective: Previous research links high rates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with men who go to bathhouses; however, the literature provides no prevalence estimates. An exit survey of a probability sample was conducted to describe the prevalence of risk activity at the bathhouse.

Methods: Data are from a 2-stage probability sample of men exiting a gay bathhouse (n = 400).

Results: During their visit, 91.5% of men had oral sex and 44.2% had anal sex (11.1% reported UAI and 5.5% reported unprotected receptive anal intercourse). In the prior 3 months, 85% reported having anal sex, which was more likely to be unprotected when it occurred in a private home or hotel as opposed to a public setting (P < 0.001). Moreover, having UAI at home was a significant correlate of risk during the bathhouse visit (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Most men at the bathhouse engaged in oral sex rather than anal sex, and most anal sex included use of condoms. Furthermore, men were more likely to have UAI in a private home than in any public setting. The bathhouse seems to have facilitated condom use when anal sex occurred on-site.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Surveys and Questionnaires