Sexual practices among men attending an anonymous HIV testing site in Singapore

Abstract

This study was undertaken to provide an empirical basis for planning safer sex interventions in Singapore by examining the sexual practices of men attending an anonymous HIV testing site. All male clients attending the testing site from January, 1996 to January 1997 were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire concerning oral and anal sex with men as well as vaginal, oral and anal sex with women within the past year. Questionnaires were obtained from 251 male clients, ranging in age from 17 to 70 years (mean = 30.3). Of these 50.6% reported sex with women only, 39% with men only, 7.2% with both men and women and 3.2% with no one. Condom use was moderately high for anal and vaginal sex but low for oral sex. A risk index based on the riskiness of specific activities showed that bisexuals were the most likely to engage in high risk behaviour whereas homosexuals were the least likely. One factor in the greater riskiness of bisexuals' behaviour appeared to be a higher frequency of unprotected sex with women. These findings provide a preliminary portrait of sexual risk-taking among men in Singapore and suggest the need for continued emphasis on consistent condom use for penetrative sex as well as appropriate precautions for oral sex. The results also suggest the need to develop targeted interventions for bisexuals, particularly with respect to unprotected sex with women.