Abstract
This study collected data from 362 men who had sex with men at cruising areas in the Netherlands, and measured characteristics of respondents, sexual risk behavior, and risk perceptions. Furthermore, the study assessed whether outreach activities at cruising areas promote safe sex behavior. Almost one in five respondents reported having sex with both men and women, and 18.5% of respondents reported sexual risk behavior at cruising areas. Men who had a conversation about safe sex with a volunteer used condoms more consistently than men who had not spoken with a volunteer. Finally, it was found that behaviorally bisexual men used condoms less frequently at cruising areas. The relatively high levels of risk-taking sex stress the importance of HIV prevention at cruising areas. Furthermore, special attention could be given to cruising area visitors who have sex with both men and women, because they report higher levels of risk behavior and have less access to safer sex information regarding homosexual behavior.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Connell, R. W., Crawford, J., Dowsett, G. W., Kippax, S., Sinnott, V., Rodden, P., Berg, R., Baxter, D., and Watson, L. (1990). Danger and context: Unsafe anal sexual practice among homosexual and bisexual men in the AIDS crisis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Sociology, 26, 187–208.
De Groot, F. (1995). Gepland gedrag op de baan [Planned behavior at cruising areas]. Groningen: University of Groningen.
De Jong, M. (1994). Het baanproject: Landelijke evaluatie 1993 [Prevention at cruising areas: National evaluation 1993]. Amsterdam: SAD Schorer Foundation.
De Wit, J. B. F., Vroome, E. M. M. de, Sandfort, T. G. M., and Griensven, G. J. P. van (1997). Homosexual encounters in different venues. International Journal of STD and AIDS, 8, 130–134.
Doll, L. S., and Beeker, C. (1996). Male bisexual behavior and HIV risk in the United States: Synthesis of research with implications for behavioral interventions. AIDS Education and Prevention, 8, 205–225.
Hospers, H. J., and Blom, C. (1998). HIV prevention activities for gay men in the Netherlands 1983–1993. In Th. G. M. Sandfort (Ed.), The Dutch response to HIV (pp. 40–60). London: UCL Press.
Hospers, H. J., and Kok, G. J. (1995). Determinants of safe and risk-taking sexual behavior among gay men: A review. AIDS Education and Prevention, 7, 74–96.
Kelly, J. A., St. Lawrence, J. S., Brasfield, T. L., Lemke, A., Amidei, T., Roffman, R. E., Hood, H. V., Smith, J. E., Kilgore, H., and McNeill, C. (1990a). Psychological factors that predict AIDS high-risk versus AIDS precautionary behavior. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 117–120.
Kelly, J. A., St. Lawrence, J. S., Brasfield, T. L., Stevenson, Y., Diaz, Y. E., and Hauth, A. C. (1990b). AIDS risk behavior patterns among gay men in small southern cities. American Journal of Public Health, 80, 416–418.
Offir, J. T., Fisher, J. D., Williams, S. S., and Fisher, W. A. (1993). Reasons for inconsistent AIDS-preventive behaviors among gay men. The Journal of Sex Research, 30, 62–69.
Prieur, A. (1990). Norwegian gay men: Reasons for continued practice of unsafe sex. AIDS Education and Prevention, 2, 109–115.
Ross, M. W., and McLaws, M.-L. (1992). Subjective norms about condoms are better predictors of use and intention to use than attitudes. Health Education Research, 7, 335–339.
Seibt, A. C., Ross, M. W., Freeman, A., Krepcho, M., Hedrich, A., McAlister, A., and Fernandez-Esquer, M. E. (1995). Relationship between safe sex and acculturation into the gay subculture. AIDS Care, 7(Suppl. 1), S85-S88.
Stokes, J. P., McKirnan, D. J., and Burzette, R. G. (1993). Sexual behavior, condom use, disclosure of sexuality, and stability of sexual orientation in bisexual men. The Journal of Sex Research, 30, 203–213.
Weatherburn, P., and Reid, D. S. (1996). Behaviorally bisexual men in the UK. London: Health Education Authority.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hospers, H.J., Debets, W., Ross, M.W. et al. Evaluation of an HIV Prevention Intervention for Men Who Have Sex with Men at Cruising Areas in the Netherlands. AIDS Behav 3, 359–366 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025445720093
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025445720093