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Cultural Beliefs, Partner Characteristics, Communication, and Sexual Risk Among Latino MSM

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Abstract

This study examined factors associated with communication about condom use and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in a U.S. sample of immigrant Latino MSM (N = 356), with a focus on culturally based beliefs. Logistic regression analysis revealed that communication about condom use at participants’ most recent encounter was associated with a lower likelihood of UAI during that encounter. UAI was more likely when the partner was a main partner and there was seroconcordance. A separate logistic regression indicated that communication about condom use was less likely when the most recent encounter involved a main partner, greater sexual desire, and intoxication due to substance use. Although cultural beliefs were not predictive of communication about condom use or UAI at the most recent encounter, they were related to the occurrence of UAI in the previous three months. There is a need for more research on the interplay of culture, safer sex communication, and sexual risk.

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Acknowledgments

The preparation of this paper was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): R01 HD 046258, María Cecilia Zea, Principal Investigator, Paul J. Poppen and Carol A. Reisen, Co-Investigators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, George Washington University, 2125 G. St., NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA

    Serena C. Lo, Carol A. Reisen, Paul J. Poppen, Fernanda T. Bianchi & Maria Cecilia Zea

Authors
  1. Serena C. Lo
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  2. Carol A. Reisen
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  3. Paul J. Poppen
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  4. Fernanda T. Bianchi
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  5. Maria Cecilia Zea
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Serena C. Lo.

Appendix

Appendix

Latino Cultural Beliefs Scale Items

  1. 1.

    Men have little control over their sexual impulses.

  2. 2.

    Men are always ready for sex.

  3. 3.

    Latino men are romantic when they are in love.

  4. 4.

    Latino men are passionate lovers.

  5. 5.

    Latino gay men prefer masculine men as partners.

  6. 6.

    When Latino gay men are in love, they surrender themselves to their partners’ desires.

  7. 7.

    Fate determines whether a man will get a sexually transmitted disease.

  8. 8.

    Sometimes it is better to go along with a sexual partner’s desires in order to avoid conflict.

  9. 9.

    Saying “no” to a potential sexual partner is difficult because it might hurt his feelings.

  10. 10.

    Sex without penetration seems incomplete.

  11. 11.

    It is harmful for a man to have an erection (a hard-on) without ejaculating.

  12. 12.

    It is hard to say no to a sexual partner who has been financially generous to me.

  13. 13.

    Lovers who trust each other don’t use condoms.

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Lo, S.C., Reisen, C.A., Poppen, P.J. et al. Cultural Beliefs, Partner Characteristics, Communication, and Sexual Risk Among Latino MSM. AIDS Behav 15, 613–620 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-010-9760-6

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