Perceived risk for HIV

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A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Perceived Risk for HIV
Research Method: Basic Research
Principal Investigators: Gary J. Burkholder, Ph.D. (PI), Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D. (Co-PI)
Grant: The Center for Interdisciplinary Research in AIDS (CIRA), Yale University
Partners: Center for Interdisciplinary Research in AIDS (CIRA) - Yale University and Institute for Community Research
Dates of Study: 2001-2002

Abstract
Epidemiological evidence suggests that risk for HIV infection is once again increasing among young men who have sex with men, despite the existence of intervention approaches aimed at reducing infection risk. One possible explanation is that current interventions do not effectively appeal to young men's sense of risk, or are not culturally or contextually relevant. Prevention research indicates that perceived risk for infection is an important factor related to behavioral change; however, little research has been conducted on the multi-dimensional factors (e.g., verbal and non-verbal cues, sexual self-identification, and connection and identification to a gay community) contributing to risk perception among this population. This one-year developmental grant from the Yale University Center for Interdisciplinary Research in AIDS uses qualitative and quantitative research to develop a foundation for a larger longitudinal study on the multitude of factors related to HIV risk among ethnically and culturally diverse MSM in the new England area.

Project Goals and Objectives
The study aims to:


	Identify the range of variation in the ways young MSM perceive and assess their own risk for HIV infection.
	Assess the validity of existing measures of perceived risk with this population.
	Develop a multi-cultural instrument for assessing perceived risk for HIV and its relation to behavioral risk.

Project Details
The study is currently in its sixth month. Staff have conducted in-depth interviews with 30+ men, collecting information on self-identified sexual orientation, the experience of their coming out process, past and present sexual practices, connections to gay communities, and HIV testing status and history. Interview results are providing the basis for a quantitative survey will be administered to 300+ men, recruited via community agencies, fliers and the Internet.

Project Contact:
Gary J. Burkholder, Ph.D., Principal Investigator

Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D.,
Co-Principal Investigator
Executive Director

Project Staff:
Gary J. Burkholder, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator
Mark Convey, M.A., Ethnographer/Project Coordinator

Link to Research Methods page

Link to Basic Research Methods page