A cross-sectional study was carried out with 400 homo/bisexual men. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire, applied by 10 interviewers. The objective was to analyze risk factors in the engagement of unprotected sexual intercourse (usi) among homo/bisexual men in Fortaleza (CE-Brazil). Interviewees were classified into 5 social classes and 4 age groups. A bivariate analysis between the outcome variable (involvement with unprotected sexual intercourse - usi) and the predictor variable was performed by means of Fischer's exact test. The predictor variables that were significantly related to the outcome variable in the bivariate analysis were included into a logistic regression model to assess their independent effects. Forty-seven percent of the men reported unprotected sexual intercourse. The predictor variables found to be significantly related to this involvement in the multivariate analysis were: less information on HIV transmission, having had sexual intercourse with another man once or more than once a month in the last 12 months, having had one or more than one sexual intercourse with women in the past 12 months, being sexually aroused with unprotected sex, showing negative attitudes towards safer sex, not knowing anybody with AIDS and not participating in homosexual organizations. This study suggests the need to improve the social network in order to attain an effective HIV/AIDS prevention program in this population.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; HIV; Homosexuality, male; Risk factors; Sex behavior
