The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States continues to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV incidence and prevalence are pronounced among young MSM, particularly African-American men. In the current study, the authors examined the correlates of risky sexual behavior among a large community sample of young African-American MSM.

Between 1999 and 2001, participants were recruited from a variety of venues frequented by African-American MSM. Eligible participants were ages 18-25, African American, and reported sexual contact with a man within the past year. Of the eligible participants (n=778), 84 percent agreed to be interviewed. Analyses were based on the 758 who answered all of the study questions.

Regarding sexual risk, 26.5 percent (n=201) of participants engaged in unprotected anal intercourse. Approximately 18.6 percent engaged in unprotected receptive anal intercourse, and 16.5 percent engaged in unprotected insertive anal intercourse. Those with main partners were more likely than those without main partners to have had unprotected insertive anal intercourse (25.6 percent vs. 12.1 percent) and unprotected receptive anal intercourse (30.8 percent vs. 8.8 percent).

The researchers assessed demographic variables, sexual identity, condom carrying, and peer norms as predictors of unprotected insertive anal intercourse and unprotected receptive anal intercourse. Nonsupportive peer norms (OR=2.43; 95% CI=1.41, 4.22; P<.01) and not carrying condoms (OR=3.48; 95% CI=1.58, 7.66; P<.01) predicted increased risk of unprotected receptive anal intercourse.

As one of the first studies to use a large sample of young African American MSM, this report "suggests that changing peer norms to make them more supportive of condom use and encouraging sexually active men to carry condoms may improve HIV intervention in this vulnerable population," concluded the researchers.