RELATIONSHIP OF COGNITIVE HEALTH BEHAVIOR MODEL AND EMOTIONAL STATE OF ANAL AND ORAL SEXUAL PRACTICES OF HOMOSEXUAL MALES IN NEW ORLEANS (IMMUNE DEFICIENCY, AIDS, LOUISIANA).
Contributors: Louisiana State University Medical Ctr. In New Orleans, S. Of Nursing.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 234
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Behavioral.; Psychology, Social.; Health Sciences, Public Health.
Description: The research question for this study was "What is the relationship of psychosocial variables from the Cognitive Health Behavior Model and emotional state to the practice of anal and oral intercourse in homosexual males in New Orleans?" The purpose of this comparative cross-sectional study was to describe the relationship of psychosocial variables and emotional state to the practice of anal and oral intercourse in homosexual males to facilitate prevention planning.

A purposive sample of 138 homosexual males was collected at the NO/AIDS Task Force, Lesbian and Gay Community Center, and referrals. Subjects completed the questionnaires: (1) Psychosocial Sexual Behavior Questionnaire and (2) Beck Depression Inventory. Consent forms were not cross-referenced to questionnaires.

Data analysis was conducted utilizing a SAS package. Data analysis consisted of Spearman's rho and ANOVA. Data were reported as an aggregate with no individuals reported by name. The sample was composed of men from: colleague referrals, personal contacts, gay social groups/organizations, NO/AIDS Task Force, NO/AIDS Awareness seminar, and Lesbian and Gay Community Center. The sample was mostly white educated males with a religious affiliation who had a propensity to earn a living. The majority of the subjects had incomes exceeding the poverty level.

More than three-fourths of the sample had been HIV antibody tested. Of those tested for HIV antibodies, 82 were not infected, 34 were infected. The length of time HIV infection status was known by subjects ranged from 3 days to 10 years. The mean period of time that HIV infection was known was 4 months and 21 days. All 34 HIV infected subjects did believe in their HIV infection state.

Homosexual males in New Orleans area had varying degrees of risk as measured by the Psychosocial Sexual Behavior Questionnaire when engaging in anal intercourse behaviors. Receptive anal intercourse with a condom was not significantly different from the expected responses based on chi-square test. There was little difference between the observed and expected frequencies in the practice of receptive anal intercourse with a condom. All oral intercourse behaviors were significantly different from expected responses based on the chi-square test for goodness-of-fit.

Subjects with a high perceived risk of sexual behaviors, behavior efficacy, social norms, self-efficacy and depression scores practiced less insertive anal intercourse without a condom. High perceived risk of sexual behaviors and self-efficacy was correlated with less receptive anal intercourse without a condom and withdrawal prior to ejaculation. Perceived susceptibility to HIV infection, perceived seriousness to HIV infection, perceived risk of sexual behaviors, social norms, and emotional state were not correlated with oral intercourse practices of homosexual males in New Orleans.

Based on results of stepwise multiple regression analysis, unsafe sexual practices was predicted by self-efficacy. When self-efficacy was removed as a variable from stepwise multiple regression analysis, unsafe sexual practices was predicted by social norms. High self-efficacy was correlated and predictive of safer sexual practices. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-08, Section: B, page: 4244.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CTR. IN NEW ORLEANS, S. OF NURSING, 1995.

School code: 1053.