AEGiS-14IAC: Framing sexual conservatism among gay couples in the Philippines: intimate sexual relationships not lewdness.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Framing sexual conservatism among gay couples in the Philippines: intimate sexual relationships not lewdness.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. D11079)

Yap NM, Imperial RH
Center for Multidisciplinary Studies on Health and Development and AIDS Society of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines

BACKGROUND: The low and slow prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the Philippines has been attributed largely to the persistent belief that Filipinos are sexually conservative. This observation has been borne out of the fact that religion has both the code of behavior and silence that have greatly censored lewdness and sexual liberalism. This study was conducted to determine the nature of Filipino gay men sexual risk taking behavior in their intimate relationships with their partners. The results of the study were useful in determining key messages that will be used in further educating men who have sex with men on the perils of the infection based on their sexual proclivities.

METHODS: A cohort of 20 professional gay couples were interviewed to determine their sexual activities and behavior both with their identified lovers/partners and another casual relationship, if any.

RESULTS: The study revealed that Filipino gay couples maintain a healthy sexual attitude with their lovers., (54.37%) percent of the participants revealed that they have stayed monogamous with their partners for the past five years and had had casual sex only with one other partner (63.70%) during the previous year. Among those who had sex outside the relationship said that they had sex with someone they knew (57.36%) and that they used the condom (51.2%). The study however revealed that less than half of the gay men (35%) used condoms when having sex with their partners.

CONCLUSION: It is important that educating gay men on the perils of infection, the key message maintain monogamous sexual relationship with their partners be emphasized. Moreover, correct and consistent use of condom should form part of their foreplay as this is an effective way in preventing HIV/AIDS and STIs. Finally, the study revealed that Filipino gay men are more often faithful partners and are able to maintain long term relationship.

Keywords: AEGIS, Homosexuality, Male, Homosexuality, Sex Behavior, Condoms, Risk-Taking, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Prevalence, HIV Infections, Politics, Interpersonal Relations, Love, Coitus, Interviews, Ethnic Groups, Philippines, Human, Male

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D11079