OBJECTIVES AND GOAL: This research studied predictors of high-risk sexual practices and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevalence among Roma (Gypsy) men's social networks in Sofia, Bulgaria. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-four socially active individuals, approached in Roma neighborhood venues, recruited members (n = 296) of their own networks into the study. Participants completed sociometric and risk behavior interviews and were tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomonas. RESULTS: Men had a mean of 7 partners in the past year. Fifty-nine percent had multiple partners in the past 3 months. Seventy-three percent reported recent unprotected vaginal and 51% unprotected anal intercourse. Fifty-nine percent of men had sex with other men in the past year. Twenty-two percent had one of the STDs. The social network to which an individual belonged accounted for 23% to 27% of variance in predicting sexual risk behavior. CONCLUSIONS: One's social network was the most powerful predictor of HIV risk behavior. HIV/STD prevention interventions directed toward entire social networks are especially promising.
OBJECTIVES AND GOAL: This research studied predictors of high-risk sexual practices and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevalence among Roma (Gypsy) men's social networks in Sofia, Bulgaria. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-four socially active individuals, approached in Roma neighborhood venues, recruited members (n = 296) of their own networks into the study. Participants completed sociometric and risk behavior interviews and were tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomonas. RESULTS:Men had a mean of 7 partners in the past year. Fifty-nine percent had multiple partners in the past 3 months. Seventy-three percent reported recent unprotected vaginal and 51% unprotected anal intercourse. Fifty-nine percent of men had sex with other men in the past year. Twenty-two percent had one of the STDs. The social network to which an individual belonged accounted for 23% to 27% of variance in predicting sexual risk behavior. CONCLUSIONS: One's social network was the most powerful predictor of HIV risk behavior. HIV/STD prevention interventions directed toward entire social networks are especially promising.
Authors: Yuri A Amirkhanian; Jeffrey A Kelly; Elena Kabakchieva; Radostina Antonova; Sylvia Vassileva; Wayne J Difranceisco; Timothy L McAuliffe; Boyan Vassilev; Elena Petrova; Roman A Khoursine Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2013-02
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Authors: Jeffrey A Kelly; Yuri A Amirkhanian; David W Seal; Carol M Galletly; Wayne Difranceisco; Laura R Glasman; L Yvonne Stevenson; Noel Rosado Journal: AIDS Educ Prev Date: 2010-12
Authors: Jeffrey A Kelly; Yuri A Amirkhanian; Elena Kabakchieva; Sylvia Vassileva; Boyan Vassilev; Timothy L McAuliffe; Wayne J DiFranceisco; Radostina Antonova; Elena Petrova; Roman A Khoursine; Borislav Dimitrov Journal: BMJ Date: 2006-10-13
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Authors: Jeffrey A Kelly; Yuri A Amirkhanian; Elena Kabakchieva; Sylvia Vassileva; Timothy L McAuliffe; Wayne J DiFranceisco; Tonka Varleva Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2020-09-11