HIV risk behaviors and obstacles to condom use among Puerto Rican men in New York City who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVES

This paper describes the sexual risk behaviors of Puerto Rican men who have sex with men and their perceived obstacles to condom use.

METHODS

Interviews were conducted with 182 Puerto Rican men living in New York, NY.

RESULTS

Condoms were used inconsistently or not at all by half of the men who had anal sex with other men, by two thirds of the men who had vaginal sex, and by three fifths of those who had anal sex with women. Most of the men had had unprotected oral sex and more than one sexual partner in the previous year. Three of 10 were positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Dislike of condoms was the most frequently cited obstacle, followed by perception of low risk, trust in and emotional connection with partner, unavailability and inconvenience of condom use, lack of control, and indifference.

CONCLUSIONS

Barrier methods other than condoms, such as a microbicidal, gel, need to be developed.