Sexual attitudes and practices of selected groups in Northern Ireland since the emergence of AIDS.

One hundred and seventeen heterosexual males and females attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic and 57 homosexual males from a local "gay" club were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their attitudes and sexual practices since the emergence of AIDS. The results show a trend towards increasing partner change rate among heterosexual males. There has been an increase in the practice of insertive anal intercourse by homosexual men with Northern Ireland contacts but no corresponding increase with contacts outside Northern Ireland. The practice of receptive anal intercourse has remained constant. Significant differences in attitudes between homosexual and heterosexual males were expressed with regard to testing of 'at risk groups' (p less than 0.001), in the uptake of testing (p less than 0.01), and in attitudes to sexual practices if they themselves became HIV positive. There was a low level of anxiety amongst heterosexuals regarding risk of HIV infection in the future. Less than 50% of the heterosexual patients attending this clinic use condoms, though more claim to intend to use them in future.