Department of Sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN 47907, United States.
Sociol Health Illn. 2012 Sep;34(7):1085-102. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9566.2011.01446.x. Epub 2012 Jan 26.
Gay neighbourhoods have historically served as vital places for gay socialising, and gay social networks are important sources of social support. Yet, few studies have examined the influence of these forms of community on sexual health. Informed by theoretical frameworks on neighbourhoods and networks, we employ multi-level modelling to test hypotheses concerning whether gay neighbourhoods and social network factors are associated with five sexual risk behaviours: receptive and insertive unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), barebacking identity, recent internet use for finding sexual partners, and 'Party and Play' (PnP). Our analyses of a community-based sample of gay men in New York City reveal little evidence for the direct effect of gay enclaves on sexual risk with the exception of PnP, which was more likely among gay enclave residents. Having a network composed predominantly of other gay men was associated with insertive UAI, PnP, and internet use for meeting sexual partners. This network type also mediated the association between gay neighbourhoods and higher odds of insertive UAI as well as PnP. Our findings highlight the sexual health implications of two important facets of gay community and, in doing so, indicate the need to better contextualise the sexual health risks faced by gay men.
同性恋社区历来是同性恋者社交的重要场所，同性恋社交网络是社会支持的重要来源。然而，很少有研究探讨这些社区形式对性健康的影响。本研究以社区和网络理论框架为指导，采用多层次模型检验了同性恋社区和社交网络因素与五种性风险行为（接受和插入式无保护肛交、无保护肛交身份、最近使用互联网寻找性伴侣、以及“派对与狂欢”）之间是否存在关联的假设。我们对纽约市基于社区的男同性恋者样本进行了分析，结果几乎没有证据表明同性恋飞地对性风险有直接影响，除了“派对与狂欢”，同性恋飞地居民更有可能参与这种活动。社交网络主要由其他男同性恋者组成，与插入式无保护肛交、“派对与狂欢”以及通过互联网寻找性伴侣有关。这种网络类型还中介了同性恋社区与插入式无保护肛交和“派对与狂欢”几率增加之间的关联。本研究结果突显了同性恋社区两个重要方面对性健康的影响，同时表明需要更好地了解男同性恋者所面临的性健康风险的背景。
