Search

The idea of situation has gained increased attention in HIV/STD prevention research and practice. In the context of prevention, situation does not simply connote setting or place but also incorporates meanings people attached to the physical setting and how the complex interrelation of setting, meaning, and behaviors influences decisions regarding sexual behaviors and prevention measures. Kenneth Burke's pentadic analysis provides a means to illuminate how situation influences decisions regarding sexual behaviors and risk taking. This manuscript describes the pentadic method, its application to situation and sexual risk behaviors, and its utility through content analysis of transcribed interviews (or texts) with men who patronize bathhouses, bathhouse staff members, and release forms from bathhouse establishments in three geographic areas. In this case, the analysis reveals that bathhouse patrons and policies perceive bathhouses as situations that privilege expedient sexual release rather than individuals and over how those releases occur. This predominant perspective impedes, but does not preclude, risk reduction. The authors provide recommendations for promoting condom use for anal sex in the bathhouse setting as well as for the utility of pentadic analysis in related research.

The idea of situation has gained increased attention in HIV/STD prevention research and practice. In the context of prevention, situation does not simply connote setting or place but also incorporates meanings people attached to the physical setting and how the complex interrelation of setting, meaning, and behaviors influences decisions regarding sexual behaviors and prevention measures. Kenneth Burke's pentadic analysis provides a means to illuminate how situation influences decisions regarding sexual behaviors and risk taking. This manuscript describes the pentadic method, its application to situation and sexual risk behaviors, and its utility through content analysis of transcribed interviews (or texts) with men who patronize bathhouses, bathhouse staff members, and release forms from bathhouse establishments in three geographic areas. In this case, the analysis reveals that bathhouse patrons and policies perceive bathhouses as situations that privilege expedient sexual release rather than individuals and over how those releases occur. This predominant perspective impedes, but does not preclude, risk reduction. The authors provide recommendations for promoting condom use for anal sex in the bathhouse setting as well as for the utility of pentadic analysis in related research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance abusers constitute a population especially at risk for STD/IIIV transmission. Although substance abusers readily acknowledge that they constitute a risk group, they seldom consider themselves to be at risk as individuals. Publicly funded substance abuse treatment providers are well-poised to provide HIV-prevention interventions as HIV infection rates among drug users entering treatment can be as high as 35 percent; the socioeconomic factors associated with economically disadvantaged drug users place them at higher risk than their economically self-sufficient counterparts. During 2002 and 2003, a two-session group intervention that included IIIV/STD/AIDS information, proper condom application, and condom negotiation skills was conducted among 113 clients in a public housing-based substance abuse treatment program in Key West, Florida. Pre- and post-test data were collected and analyzed using principles of the Transtheoretical model and Bandura's self-efficacy. Results found, at minimum, at least one stage progression among participants as well as increased confidence to apply newly learned skills. Recommendations for implementing similar interventions in substance abuse treatment facilities are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of reasoned action (TRA) focuses on attitudes, norms, behavior, and intentions in explaining a behavior. This study provides a qualitative, detailed description of TRA components applied specifically to condom use for STD prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) in bathhouses. Using a detailed, semi-structured interview guide, MSM acknowledged an existing norm for condom use for all anal intercourse and reported perceiving that bathhouse sexual partners were more likely to be infected with HIV and other STDs than men met in other settings. They also, however, reported a norm for silence in bathhouse public areas; this norm facilitated efficient and anonymous sexual encounters but precluded the ability to negotiate condom use verbally. Condom use lapses were generally attributed to this silence norm. Norms regarding silence appeared more strongly related to condom use than attitudes toward condom use. Implications for prevention, practical applications, and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]