Non-HIV STI risk among sexual minorities: Examining the intersection between identity and behavior

Citation

Everett, Bethany G. (2010). Non-HIV STI risk among sexual minorities: Examining the intersection between identity and behavior. 2010 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center.

Abstract

Several recent publications have called for a critical reflection of the use of the terms “MSM” (men who have sex with men) and “WSW” (women who have sex with women) in the public health literature. While sexual behaviors are critical for understanding the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI) risk, sexual relationships do not occur in a social vacuum, rather they occur between persons with a variety of interacting social identities that may influence STI risk. Using the Add Health data, I focus on the intersection between opposite and same/both-sex sexual relationships and sexual orientation identities. I find that the continued use of the terms MSM and WSW obscure important differences in STI risk across different identities for both men and women. Preliminary findings suggest that STI risk is concentrated among straight or bisexual identified women who report same-sex sexual relationships, whereas among males, elevated STI risk is concentrated among gay identified men. I also explore the mediating impact of several psychosocial and behavioral risk factors.

URL

https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/news/FINAL%202010%20Add%20Health%20Users%20Conference%20Abstracts.pdf

Keyword(s)

HIV/AIDS Sexual orientation Sexual Behavior Sexual Behavior

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

2010 Add Health Users Conference

Author(s)

Everett, Bethany G.

Year Published

2010

Publisher

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center

City of Publication

Bethesda, MD

Reference ID

6452