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AIDS and Behavior
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 10/2014

01-10-2014 | Original Paper

A Mixed-Methods Study of Condom Use and Decision Making Among Adolescent Gay and Bisexual Males

Authors: Brian Mustanski, L. Zachary DuBois, Tonya L. Prescott, Michele L. Ybarra

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 10/2014

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Abstract

Young men who have sex with men have the highest rates of new HIV infections in the U.S., but they have been understudied relative to other populations. As a formative step for the development of a text messaging HIV prevention intervention, this mixed methods study aimed to understand how adolescent gay and bisexual males (AGBM) make decisions about condom use and factors that may differ based on age, sexual experience, and rural versus urban residency. Four online, asynchronous focus groups were conducted with 75 14–18 year old AGBM across the U.S. Qualitative analyses uncovered themes related to relationship influences on condom use (e.g. marriage, trust), access issues, and attitudes and experiences that both encouraged as well as discouraged condom use. Mixed methods analyses explored differences between groups in endorsement of themes. For example, younger and sexually experienced participants were more likely to report the cost of condoms was prohibitive and sexually experienced and rural youth were more likely to describe being influenced by emotional aspects of the relationship. These data highlight both opportunities for as well as the importance of tailoring HIV prevention programs for sub-groups of AGBM.
Footnotes
1
We use the AGBM identifier because this study focuses specifically on adolescent boys that identify as gay, bisexual, or queer. These young men do not need to be sexually active to be involved in the study. However, much of the existing literature focuses on men who have sex with men (MSM) or lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. As such we use these additional identifiers as appropriate to the context of the literature we are describing.
 
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Metadata
Title
A Mixed-Methods Study of Condom Use and Decision Making Among Adolescent Gay and Bisexual Males
Authors
Brian Mustanski
L. Zachary DuBois
Tonya L. Prescott
Michele L. Ybarra
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0810-3

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