The Experts below are selected from a list of 318 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
William J. Woods - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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HIV prevention in gay Bathhouses and sex clubs across the United States.
Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999), 2020Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Jason Euren, Lance M. Pollack, Diane BinsonAbstract:Gay Bathhouses (including sex clubs) contributed to HIV prevention from the early days of the AIDS epidemic, but the extent to which prevention interventions are implemented in Bathhouses is unknown. Using telephone survey methodology, Bathhouse managers provided data about HIV prevention in their Bathhouses. All the Bathhouses provided free condoms, and nearly all displayed educational posters in public areas and had informational pamphlets available for patrons. A few of the Bathhouses offered outreach services and counseling services. Almost all promoted testing for HIV/sexually transmitted infection (which included providing information about where to get tested), and 75.5% had HIV testing programs in their venues. Most of the HIV testing programs were started during the past 5 years, initiated by the Bathhouse management or a community agency, and operated by community-based agencies. About one third of the programs offered rapid HIV testing. The results of the telephone survey revealed that all the Bathhouses engaged in prevention and many offered a wide range of prevention services, suggesting that managers have embraced the issue of HIV and collaborated in bringing prevention to high-risk men. The absence of studies evaluating these prevention efforts remains a concern and an obstacle for efficient use of the prevention resources.
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Bathhouse distribution of HIV self-testing kits reaches diverse, high-risk population.
Aids Care-psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of Aids\ hiv, 2016Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Sheri A Lippman, Emily Agnew, Scott Carroll, Diane BinsonAbstract:We distributed free OraQuick In-home HIV Test® kits to men at a gay Bathhouse. Men were systematically selected to receive a coupon, which could be redeemed that night for an HIV self-testing kit. Those offered the coupon were asked to take an 11-item survey. About 181 men received coupons, of whom 92 (51%) accepted the coupon, and 61 (66%) men redeemed the coupon. Those who redeemed test kits and completed a survey (n = 53) were more ethnically diverse (χ(2) = 100.69, p
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Bathhouse distribution of hiv self testing kits reaches diverse high risk population
Aids Care-psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of Aids\ hiv, 2016Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Sheri A Lippman, Emily Agnew, Scott Carroll, Diane BinsonAbstract:We distributed free OraQuick In-home HIV Test® kits to men at a gay Bathhouse. Men were systematically selected to receive a coupon, which could be redeemed that night for an HIV self-testing kit. Those offered the coupon were asked to take an 11-item survey. About 181 men received coupons, of whom 92 (51%) accepted the coupon, and 61 (66%) men redeemed the coupon. Those who redeemed test kits and completed a survey (n = 53) were more ethnically diverse (χ(2) = 100.69, p < .01) than those receiving the coupon. More than half had not tested in the past 6 months (50%) or never tested (7%). Importantly, men who had never tested or who last tested more than 6 months ago were among those most likely to take the free test kit. We found Bathhouse distribution could reach a population of men who have sex with men most in need of improved access to HIV testing. Future studies should consider means of improved follow-up and linkage to care for those who test positive.
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presence of an hiv testing program lowers the prevalence of unprotected insertive anal intercourse inside a gay Bathhouse among hiv negative and hiv unknown patrons
Journal of Hiv\ aids & Social Services, 2014Co-Authors: Lance M. Pollack, William J. Woods, Johnny Blair, Diane BinsonAbstract:This study sought to determine whether the presence of HIV testing inside a gay Bathhouse reduced sexual risk behavior among patrons. A two-stage, time probability, cluster sample design recruited men exiting a northern California Bathhouse in the last 5 weeks of 2001 (N = 440), when no HIV testing was offered inside the Bathhouse, and again in the last 5 weeks of 2002 (N = 412), when HIV testing was offered 5 days a week. Separate logistic regression analyses compared a 2002 HIV testing exposure subgroup with both a 2001 nonexposure subgroup and a 2002 nonexposure subgroup for differences in sexual risk behavior during the Bathhouse visit. Prevalence of unprotected insertive anal intercourse was significantly lower in the 2002 exposure subgroup than in the 2002 nonexposure subgroup. Similar results obtained when HIV-positive respondents were excluded. These results indicate onsite HIV testing has a preventive effect on some sexual risk behavior inside the Bathhouse.
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Gay Bathhouse HIV Prevention: the Use of Staff Monitoring of Patron Sexual Behavior
Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 2013Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Nicolas Sheon, Joseph A. Morris, Diane BinsonAbstract:Many HIV prevention interventions have been launched in gay Bathhouses and sex clubs since the onset of the AIDS epidemic, such as condom distribution and HIV testing. Perhaps none of these are as intrusive to the venue's environment as what is called “monitoring,” which involves staff, during every shift, repeatedly walking throughout the public areas of a Bathhouse to check on patrons’ sexual behavior. Yet, monitoring has received little evaluation. Between 2002 and 2004, we conducted qualitative interviews with venue managers, staff, and patrons in New York City, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. An analysis found that monitoring was influenced by the kinds of space available for sex, suggesting three approaches to monitoring: (1) monitoring all sex in clubs that only had public areas where men had sex, (2) monitoring some sex in clubs with private rooms for sex, and (3) no monitoring of sex, regardless of the kinds of space for sex.
Diane Binson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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HIV prevention in gay Bathhouses and sex clubs across the United States.
Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999), 2020Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Jason Euren, Lance M. Pollack, Diane BinsonAbstract:Gay Bathhouses (including sex clubs) contributed to HIV prevention from the early days of the AIDS epidemic, but the extent to which prevention interventions are implemented in Bathhouses is unknown. Using telephone survey methodology, Bathhouse managers provided data about HIV prevention in their Bathhouses. All the Bathhouses provided free condoms, and nearly all displayed educational posters in public areas and had informational pamphlets available for patrons. A few of the Bathhouses offered outreach services and counseling services. Almost all promoted testing for HIV/sexually transmitted infection (which included providing information about where to get tested), and 75.5% had HIV testing programs in their venues. Most of the HIV testing programs were started during the past 5 years, initiated by the Bathhouse management or a community agency, and operated by community-based agencies. About one third of the programs offered rapid HIV testing. The results of the telephone survey revealed that all the Bathhouses engaged in prevention and many offered a wide range of prevention services, suggesting that managers have embraced the issue of HIV and collaborated in bringing prevention to high-risk men. The absence of studies evaluating these prevention efforts remains a concern and an obstacle for efficient use of the prevention resources.
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Bathhouse distribution of HIV self-testing kits reaches diverse, high-risk population.
Aids Care-psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of Aids\ hiv, 2016Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Sheri A Lippman, Emily Agnew, Scott Carroll, Diane BinsonAbstract:We distributed free OraQuick In-home HIV Test® kits to men at a gay Bathhouse. Men were systematically selected to receive a coupon, which could be redeemed that night for an HIV self-testing kit. Those offered the coupon were asked to take an 11-item survey. About 181 men received coupons, of whom 92 (51%) accepted the coupon, and 61 (66%) men redeemed the coupon. Those who redeemed test kits and completed a survey (n = 53) were more ethnically diverse (χ(2) = 100.69, p
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Bathhouse distribution of hiv self testing kits reaches diverse high risk population
Aids Care-psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of Aids\ hiv, 2016Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Sheri A Lippman, Emily Agnew, Scott Carroll, Diane BinsonAbstract:We distributed free OraQuick In-home HIV Test® kits to men at a gay Bathhouse. Men were systematically selected to receive a coupon, which could be redeemed that night for an HIV self-testing kit. Those offered the coupon were asked to take an 11-item survey. About 181 men received coupons, of whom 92 (51%) accepted the coupon, and 61 (66%) men redeemed the coupon. Those who redeemed test kits and completed a survey (n = 53) were more ethnically diverse (χ(2) = 100.69, p < .01) than those receiving the coupon. More than half had not tested in the past 6 months (50%) or never tested (7%). Importantly, men who had never tested or who last tested more than 6 months ago were among those most likely to take the free test kit. We found Bathhouse distribution could reach a population of men who have sex with men most in need of improved access to HIV testing. Future studies should consider means of improved follow-up and linkage to care for those who test positive.
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presence of an hiv testing program lowers the prevalence of unprotected insertive anal intercourse inside a gay Bathhouse among hiv negative and hiv unknown patrons
Journal of Hiv\ aids & Social Services, 2014Co-Authors: Lance M. Pollack, William J. Woods, Johnny Blair, Diane BinsonAbstract:This study sought to determine whether the presence of HIV testing inside a gay Bathhouse reduced sexual risk behavior among patrons. A two-stage, time probability, cluster sample design recruited men exiting a northern California Bathhouse in the last 5 weeks of 2001 (N = 440), when no HIV testing was offered inside the Bathhouse, and again in the last 5 weeks of 2002 (N = 412), when HIV testing was offered 5 days a week. Separate logistic regression analyses compared a 2002 HIV testing exposure subgroup with both a 2001 nonexposure subgroup and a 2002 nonexposure subgroup for differences in sexual risk behavior during the Bathhouse visit. Prevalence of unprotected insertive anal intercourse was significantly lower in the 2002 exposure subgroup than in the 2002 nonexposure subgroup. Similar results obtained when HIV-positive respondents were excluded. These results indicate onsite HIV testing has a preventive effect on some sexual risk behavior inside the Bathhouse.
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Gay Bathhouse HIV Prevention: the Use of Staff Monitoring of Patron Sexual Behavior
Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 2013Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Nicolas Sheon, Joseph A. Morris, Diane BinsonAbstract:Many HIV prevention interventions have been launched in gay Bathhouses and sex clubs since the onset of the AIDS epidemic, such as condom distribution and HIV testing. Perhaps none of these are as intrusive to the venue's environment as what is called “monitoring,” which involves staff, during every shift, repeatedly walking throughout the public areas of a Bathhouse to check on patrons’ sexual behavior. Yet, monitoring has received little evaluation. Between 2002 and 2004, we conducted qualitative interviews with venue managers, staff, and patrons in New York City, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. An analysis found that monitoring was influenced by the kinds of space available for sex, suggesting three approaches to monitoring: (1) monitoring all sex in clubs that only had public areas where men had sex, (2) monitoring some sex in clubs with private rooms for sex, and (3) no monitoring of sex, regardless of the kinds of space for sex.
Wen-chien Ko - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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trends of hiv and sexually transmitted infections estimated hiv incidence and risky sexual behaviors among gay Bathhouse attendees in taiwan 2004 2008
Aids and Behavior, 2011Co-Authors: Nai-ying Ko, Jui Ling Chang, Chia-ming Chang, Wen-chien Ko, Chienching Hung, Fan Chen Tseng, Bo Jie Chen, Shainn Wei WangAbstract:Five serial cross-sectional surveys were done at eight gay Bathhouses in Taiwan to investigate the trends of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and estimated HIV incidence between 2004 and 2008. Bathhouse attendees completed a questionnaire and tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C virus, and amoebiasis. Twenty-nine (38.6%) were identified as having recent HIV-1 infections. There was a significant increase in HIV incidence, from 7.8% in 2004 to 15% in 2007 (χ2 = 17.59, P-trend <0.001). Recreational drug use is the primary risk behavior. Comprehensive screening programs in gay Bathhouses for early detection of HIV and STIs are important.
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effects of structural intervention on increasing condom availability and reducing risky sexual behaviours in gay Bathhouse attendees
Aids Care-psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of Aids\ hiv, 2009Co-Authors: Nai-ying Ko, Jui Ling Chang, Chia-ming Chang, Chienching Hung, Hsuting Chang, Wen-chien KoAbstract:Abstract The study purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of a structural intervention in reducing unprotected sexual behaviours, increasing condom accessibility and their relationship to the prevalence of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in gay Bathhouse attendees. A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group for comparison was conducted at nine gay Bathhouses in Taiwan from 2004 to 2006. A structural intervention designed to increase condom distribution and accessibility inside the Bathhouses was implemented at one Bathhouse in each city. Bathhouse attendees were invited to complete a questionnaire and to be screened for HIV infection and STIs. Of 632 study participants, 270 were surveyed six months after the intervention was conducted. At the time of follow-up after controlling for baseline data, patrons attending Bathhouses for which intervention was performed were more likely to report accessing condoms inside Bathhouses than those attending control bathho...
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CONDOM AVAILABILITY IN TAIWANESE GAY BathhouseS : THE RIGHT THINGS IN THE WRONG PLACES
Aids Education and Prevention, 2008Co-Authors: Nai-ying Ko, Jui Ling Chang, Chia-ming Chang, Wen-chien KoAbstract:Gay Bathhouses were identified as public venues where men having sex with men are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. This study applied Binson and Woods's (Journal of Homosexuality, 44, 2003) theoretical framework of risk environment/Bathhouse setting to (a) describe four domains of Bathhouse environments, (b) investigate condom availability in Bathhouses, and (c) identify barriers of condom distribution. An ethnographic study was conducted at eight gay Bathhouses in Taiwan, including environmental observations, interviews of 16 staff members, and self–administered questionnaires of 409 Bathhouse patrons. Condoms were provided upon request in eight Bathhouses. Environmental observations showed a poor match between the places where condoms were distributed and where men had sex. Cost and police harassment were two barriers of condom distribution in Bathhouses. Our findings highlight the importance of the extension of condom distribution at places where men have sex in gay Bathhouses.
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Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections and risky sexual behaviors among men visiting gay Bathhouses in taiwan.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2006Co-Authors: Nai-ying Ko, Jui Ling Chang, Chia-ming Chang, Wen-chien KoAbstract:This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and predictors of risky sexual behaviors among men visiting gay Bathhouses. A cross-sectional study was conducted at 8 gay Bathhouses in Taiwan. Bathhouse attendees were invited to complete a questionnaire and to be screened for HIV/STIs. Of 451 men recruited for the study 339 (75%) completed the questionnaire and were screened for HIV/STIs. The study indicated that seroprevalence rates of anti-HIV-1 antibody specific Treponema pallidum antibodies detected by hemagglutination assay surface antigen of hepatitis B virus IgG antibodies for hepatitis A virus antibody for hepatitis C virus and indirect hemagglutination antibody for Entamoeba histolytica (serum titer = 1:128) were 8% 18% 16% 38% 3% and 6% respectively. Prevalence rates for chlamydial and gonococcal infections reflected by nucleic acid amplification tests in urine samples were 7% and 4% respectively. Irregular use of condoms during oral sex condom inaccessibility at Bathhouses unprotected sex at public venues no prior HIV test and 5 or more visits to Bathhouses every month were independently associated with unprotected anal intercourse. Men attending gay Bathhouses report engaging in unsafe sex practices and are at substantial risk of acquisition of HIV/STIs. These findings highlight the need for more comprehensive prevention efforts at gay Bathhouses. (authors)
Lance M. Pollack - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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HIV prevention in gay Bathhouses and sex clubs across the United States.
Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999), 2020Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Jason Euren, Lance M. Pollack, Diane BinsonAbstract:Gay Bathhouses (including sex clubs) contributed to HIV prevention from the early days of the AIDS epidemic, but the extent to which prevention interventions are implemented in Bathhouses is unknown. Using telephone survey methodology, Bathhouse managers provided data about HIV prevention in their Bathhouses. All the Bathhouses provided free condoms, and nearly all displayed educational posters in public areas and had informational pamphlets available for patrons. A few of the Bathhouses offered outreach services and counseling services. Almost all promoted testing for HIV/sexually transmitted infection (which included providing information about where to get tested), and 75.5% had HIV testing programs in their venues. Most of the HIV testing programs were started during the past 5 years, initiated by the Bathhouse management or a community agency, and operated by community-based agencies. About one third of the programs offered rapid HIV testing. The results of the telephone survey revealed that all the Bathhouses engaged in prevention and many offered a wide range of prevention services, suggesting that managers have embraced the issue of HIV and collaborated in bringing prevention to high-risk men. The absence of studies evaluating these prevention efforts remains a concern and an obstacle for efficient use of the prevention resources.
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presence of an hiv testing program lowers the prevalence of unprotected insertive anal intercourse inside a gay Bathhouse among hiv negative and hiv unknown patrons
Journal of Hiv\ aids & Social Services, 2014Co-Authors: Lance M. Pollack, William J. Woods, Johnny Blair, Diane BinsonAbstract:This study sought to determine whether the presence of HIV testing inside a gay Bathhouse reduced sexual risk behavior among patrons. A two-stage, time probability, cluster sample design recruited men exiting a northern California Bathhouse in the last 5 weeks of 2001 (N = 440), when no HIV testing was offered inside the Bathhouse, and again in the last 5 weeks of 2002 (N = 412), when HIV testing was offered 5 days a week. Separate logistic regression analyses compared a 2002 HIV testing exposure subgroup with both a 2001 nonexposure subgroup and a 2002 nonexposure subgroup for differences in sexual risk behavior during the Bathhouse visit. Prevalence of unprotected insertive anal intercourse was significantly lower in the 2002 exposure subgroup than in the 2002 nonexposure subgroup. Similar results obtained when HIV-positive respondents were excluded. These results indicate onsite HIV testing has a preventive effect on some sexual risk behavior inside the Bathhouse.
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implementing Bathhouse based voluntary counselling and testing has no adverse effect on Bathhouse patronage among men who have sex with men
International Journal of Std & Aids, 2012Co-Authors: David M Huebner, Diane Binson, Lance M. Pollack, William J. WoodsAbstract:Implementing HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) in Bathhouses is a proven public health strategy for reaching high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) and efficiently identifying new HIV cases. However, some Bathhouse managers are concerned that VCT programmes could adversely affect business. This study examined whether offering VCT on the premises of a Bathhouse changed patterns of patron visits. A collaborating Bathhouse provided electronic anonymized patron data from their entire population of attendees. VCT was offered on premises with varying frequencies over the course of three years. Club entrances and exits were modelled as a function of intensity of VCT programming. Club entrances did not differ as a function of how many days per week testing was being offered in a given month. Additionally, club entrances did not decrease, nor did club exits increase, during specific half-hour time periods when testing was offered. Implementing Bathhouse-based VCT did not have any demonstrable impact o...
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HIV prevention in gay Bathhouses and sex clubs across the United States.
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2010Co-Authors: William J. Woods, Jason Euren, Lance M. Pollack, Diane BinsonAbstract:Gay Bathhouses (including sex clubs) contributed to HIV prevention from the early days of the AIDS epidemic, but the extent to which prevention interventions are implemented in Bathhouses is unknown. Using telephone survey methodology, Bathhouse managers provided data about HIV prevention in their Bathhouses. All the Bathhouses provided free condoms, and nearly all displayed educational posters in public areas and had informational pamphlets available for patrons. A few of the Bathhouses offered outreach services and counseling services. Almost all promoted HIV/STI testing (which included providing information about where to get tested), and 75.5% had HIV testing programs in their venues. Most of the HIV testing programs were started during the previous 5 years, initiated by the Bathhouse management or a community agency and operated by community-based agencies. About a third of the programs offered rapid HIV testing. The results of the telephone survey revealed that all the Bathhouses engaged in prevention and many offered a wide range of prevention services, suggesting that managers have embraced the issue of HIV and collaborated in bringing prevention to high-risk men. The absence of studies evaluating these prevention efforts remains a concern and an obstacle to efficient use of prevention resources.
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hiv transmission risk at a gay Bathhouse
Journal of Sex Research, 2010Co-Authors: Diane Binson, Lance M. Pollack, Johnny Blair, William J. WoodsAbstract:Previous research found up to 14% of men who go to Bathhouses engage in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and tend to have multiple sexual partners during their Bathhouse visit, thus appearing to support concerns that such venues could foster acute outbreaks of new HIV infections. We conducted a two-stage probability sample of men exiting a gay Bathhouse, and focused our analysis on whether the partnering patterns of the men who engaged in UAI present such a risk. Among patrons who had oral or anal sex during their visit (n = 758), 16.7% were HIV+, and 13.9% engaged in UAI. Although men had multiple sex partners during a visit, they had UAI with only one of those partners, on average, and withdrawal prior to ejaculation occurred in the vast majority of UAI incidences. Thus, the risk of sexual transmission of HIV during the Bathhouse visit was typically within isolated dyads rather than patterns of multiple sexual encounters that might put many men at risk during a single visit, and men who did engage in ...
Nai-ying Ko - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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trends of hiv and sexually transmitted infections estimated hiv incidence and risky sexual behaviors among gay Bathhouse attendees in taiwan 2004 2008
Aids and Behavior, 2011Co-Authors: Nai-ying Ko, Jui Ling Chang, Chia-ming Chang, Wen-chien Ko, Chienching Hung, Fan Chen Tseng, Bo Jie Chen, Shainn Wei WangAbstract:Five serial cross-sectional surveys were done at eight gay Bathhouses in Taiwan to investigate the trends of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and estimated HIV incidence between 2004 and 2008. Bathhouse attendees completed a questionnaire and tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C virus, and amoebiasis. Twenty-nine (38.6%) were identified as having recent HIV-1 infections. There was a significant increase in HIV incidence, from 7.8% in 2004 to 15% in 2007 (χ2 = 17.59, P-trend <0.001). Recreational drug use is the primary risk behavior. Comprehensive screening programs in gay Bathhouses for early detection of HIV and STIs are important.
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Trends of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Estimated HIV Incidence, and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Gay Bathhouse Attendees in Taiwan: 2004–2008
Aids and Behavior, 2010Co-Authors: Nai-ying Ko, Jui Ling Chang, Chia-ming Chang, Chienching Hung, Fan Chen Tseng, Bo Jie Chen, Shainn Wei WangAbstract:Five serial cross-sectional surveys were done at eight gay Bathhouses in Taiwan to investigate the trends of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and estimated HIV incidence between 2004 and 2008. Bathhouse attendees completed a questionnaire and tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C virus, and amoebiasis. Twenty-nine (38.6%) were identified as having recent HIV-1 infections. There was a significant increase in HIV incidence, from 7.8% in 2004 to 15% in 2007 (χ2 = 17.59, P-trend
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effects of structural intervention on increasing condom availability and reducing risky sexual behaviours in gay Bathhouse attendees
Aids Care-psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of Aids\ hiv, 2009Co-Authors: Nai-ying Ko, Jui Ling Chang, Chia-ming Chang, Chienching Hung, Hsuting Chang, Wen-chien KoAbstract:Abstract The study purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of a structural intervention in reducing unprotected sexual behaviours, increasing condom accessibility and their relationship to the prevalence of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in gay Bathhouse attendees. A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group for comparison was conducted at nine gay Bathhouses in Taiwan from 2004 to 2006. A structural intervention designed to increase condom distribution and accessibility inside the Bathhouses was implemented at one Bathhouse in each city. Bathhouse attendees were invited to complete a questionnaire and to be screened for HIV infection and STIs. Of 632 study participants, 270 were surveyed six months after the intervention was conducted. At the time of follow-up after controlling for baseline data, patrons attending Bathhouses for which intervention was performed were more likely to report accessing condoms inside Bathhouses than those attending control bathho...
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CONDOM AVAILABILITY IN TAIWANESE GAY BathhouseS : THE RIGHT THINGS IN THE WRONG PLACES
Aids Education and Prevention, 2008Co-Authors: Nai-ying Ko, Jui Ling Chang, Chia-ming Chang, Wen-chien KoAbstract:Gay Bathhouses were identified as public venues where men having sex with men are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. This study applied Binson and Woods's (Journal of Homosexuality, 44, 2003) theoretical framework of risk environment/Bathhouse setting to (a) describe four domains of Bathhouse environments, (b) investigate condom availability in Bathhouses, and (c) identify barriers of condom distribution. An ethnographic study was conducted at eight gay Bathhouses in Taiwan, including environmental observations, interviews of 16 staff members, and self–administered questionnaires of 409 Bathhouse patrons. Condoms were provided upon request in eight Bathhouses. Environmental observations showed a poor match between the places where condoms were distributed and where men had sex. Cost and police harassment were two barriers of condom distribution in Bathhouses. Our findings highlight the importance of the extension of condom distribution at places where men have sex in gay Bathhouses.
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Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections and risky sexual behaviors among men visiting gay Bathhouses in taiwan.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2006Co-Authors: Nai-ying Ko, Jui Ling Chang, Chia-ming Chang, Wen-chien KoAbstract:This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and predictors of risky sexual behaviors among men visiting gay Bathhouses. A cross-sectional study was conducted at 8 gay Bathhouses in Taiwan. Bathhouse attendees were invited to complete a questionnaire and to be screened for HIV/STIs. Of 451 men recruited for the study 339 (75%) completed the questionnaire and were screened for HIV/STIs. The study indicated that seroprevalence rates of anti-HIV-1 antibody specific Treponema pallidum antibodies detected by hemagglutination assay surface antigen of hepatitis B virus IgG antibodies for hepatitis A virus antibody for hepatitis C virus and indirect hemagglutination antibody for Entamoeba histolytica (serum titer = 1:128) were 8% 18% 16% 38% 3% and 6% respectively. Prevalence rates for chlamydial and gonococcal infections reflected by nucleic acid amplification tests in urine samples were 7% and 4% respectively. Irregular use of condoms during oral sex condom inaccessibility at Bathhouses unprotected sex at public venues no prior HIV test and 5 or more visits to Bathhouses every month were independently associated with unprotected anal intercourse. Men attending gay Bathhouses report engaging in unsafe sex practices and are at substantial risk of acquisition of HIV/STIs. These findings highlight the need for more comprehensive prevention efforts at gay Bathhouses. (authors)