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Factors Associated with Condom Use in Anal Intercourse Among Spanish Men Who Have Sex with Men: Proposal for an Explanatory Model

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Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for more than half of the new HIV diagnoses in Spain. This study aims to carry out a descriptive analysis of the sexual practices and frequency of condom use of MSM and identify the variables that explain inconsistent condom use during anal intercourse. The sample consists of 405 men between 18 and 60 years of age (M = 28.94; SD = 9.35). The results indicate that the percentage of consistent condom use is 72.9% for anal intercourse. Lack of risk perception, high self-esteem, and greater sensation-seeking are risk factors for risky sexual behavior. In contrast, high levels of sexual assertiveness and self-efficacy are protective factors. The proposed model explains between 33.8 and 49.2% of the variance. These findings highlight the importance of designing and implementing condom promotion programs for MSM who engage in anal intercourse with specific sections that consider the acquisition of assertive skills and reduce the risks associated with a perceived invulnerability to HIV.

Resumen

Los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) constituyen más de la mitad de los nuevos diagnósticos por VIH en España. El objetivo de este estudio es realizar un análisis descriptivo de las prácticas sexuales y la frecuencia de uso del preservativo en HSH e identificar las variables explicativas del uso inconsistente del preservativo en el coito anal. La muestra está formada por 405 hombres con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 60 años (M = 28.94; DT = 9.35). Los resultados indican que el porcentaje de uso sistemático del preservativo es del 72.9% en el coito anal. La ausencia de percepción de riesgo, un elevado nivel de autoestima y una mayor búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales constituyen factores de riesgo para la conducta sexual de riesgo. Por el contrario, altos niveles de asertividad sexual y de autoeficacia son factores de protección. El modelo propuesto explica entre el 33.8% y el 49.2% de la varianza. Estos hallazgos determinan la importancia de diseñar e implementar programas de promoción del uso del preservativo para HSH que practican coito anal con secciones específicas que consideren la adquisición de habilidades asertivas y reduzcan los riesgos asociados a la sensación de invulnerabilidad frente al VIH.

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  1. Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain

    Vicente Morell-Mengual, M. Dolores Gil-Llario & Olga Fernádez-García

  2. Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain

    Rafael Ballester-Arnal

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  1. Vicente Morell-Mengual
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  2. M. Dolores Gil-Llario
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Correspondence to M. Dolores Gil-Llario.

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Morell-Mengual, V., Gil-Llario, M.D., Fernádez-García, O. et al. Factors Associated with Condom Use in Anal Intercourse Among Spanish Men Who Have Sex with Men: Proposal for an Explanatory Model. AIDS Behav 25, 3836–3845 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-021-03282-0

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