NEW CHOICES

Research Question

How does new scientific information change attitudes and sexual practices among men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Francisco?

Study Design

The New Choices study was a two-phase study among MSM in the San Francisco Bay area. The studies evaluated the men's perceptions about HIV risk and knowledge and use of various prevention strategies.

A total of 1127 Bay Area MSM were interviewed at community venues and in partner organizations in 2001 and 2002. The samples were racially/ethnically diverse and included both HIV positive and negative men.

A number of issues were explored, including: barebacking (the practice of intentional anal sex without a condom); how methamphetamine and Viagra use are related to unprotected anal sex; and harm reduction practices.

Articles published about this study include the following:

Guzman R. Buchbinder S, Mansergh G, Vittinghoff G, Marks G, Wheeler S, and Colfax G. Communication of HIV viral load to guide sexual risk decisions with serodiscordant partners among San Francisco men who have sex with men. AIDS Care. In Press 2006.

Mansergh G, Shouse R, Marks G, Guzman R, Rader M, Buchbinder S, and Colfax G. Methamphetamine and sildenafil (Viagra) use are linked to unprotected receptive and insertive anal sex, respectively in a sample of men who have sex with men. STI. 2006;82:131-134.

Guzman R, Colfax G, Wheeler S, Mansergh G, Marks G, Rader M, and Buchbinder S. Negotiated safety relationships and sexual behavior among a diverse sample of HIV-negative men who have sex with men. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2005;38:82-86.

Colfax G, Guzman R, Wheeler S, Mansergh G, Marks G, and Buchbinder S. Beliefs about HIV re-infection (superinfection) and sexual behavior among a diverse sample of HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2004 Aug 1;36(4):990-992.

Mansergh G, Marks G, Colfax G, Guzman R, Rader M, and Buchbinder S. "Barebacking" in a diverse sample of men who have sex with men. AIDS. 2002;16:653-659.

Mansergh G, Marks G, Rader M, Colfax GN, Buchbinder S. Rectal use of nonoxynol-9 among men who have sex with men. AIDS. 2003 Apr 11;17(6):905-9.