Alcohol exacerbates the association between partner-related issues regarding condom use and condomless anal receptive sex among young Black men who have sex with men.

Abstract

This study determined associations between a three-item measure of partner-related issues regarding condom use (PRI-CU) and recent condomless anal sex among a sample of young Black men who have sex with men (MSM). Of 172 men indicating an absence of PRI-CU, 10.5% reported recent condomless anal receptive sex (CARS). In contrast, of 122 men indicating recent PRI-CU, 23.8% reported CARS (P = 0.002). Drunkenness during sex exacerbated this association; however, being high during sex conferred a protective value against the association between PRI-CU and CARS. Alcohol use during sex may magnify the potential for PRI-CU to result in CARS among MSM. Conversely, marijuana use may have the opposite effect.