Abstract
Roma (Gypsies), the largest and most disadvantaged ethnic minority group in Europe, are believed to be vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
This study’s aim was to examine HIV risk in 6 Roma male sociocentric networks (n = 405 men) in Bulgaria. Participants were interviewed concerning their risk practices and tested for HIV/STDs. High-risk
sexual behaviors were common. Over 57% of men had multiple sexual partners in the past 3 months. Over one-third of men reported
both male and female partners in the past year. Condom use was low. Greater levels of sexual risk were associated with lower
intentions and self-efficacy for using condoms, drug use, having male partners, knowing HIV-positive persons, and having higher
AIDS knowledge but no prior HIV testing. Two men had HIV infection, 3.7% gonorrhea, and 5.2% chlamydia. HIV prevention interventions
directed toward high-risk social networks of Roma are needed before HIV infection becomes more widely established.
This study’s aim was to examine HIV risk in 6 Roma male sociocentric networks (n = 405 men) in Bulgaria. Participants were interviewed concerning their risk practices and tested for HIV/STDs. High-risk
sexual behaviors were common. Over 57% of men had multiple sexual partners in the past 3 months. Over one-third of men reported
both male and female partners in the past year. Condom use was low. Greater levels of sexual risk were associated with lower
intentions and self-efficacy for using condoms, drug use, having male partners, knowing HIV-positive persons, and having higher
AIDS knowledge but no prior HIV testing. Two men had HIV infection, 3.7% gonorrhea, and 5.2% chlamydia. HIV prevention interventions
directed toward high-risk social networks of Roma are needed before HIV infection becomes more widely established.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9596-4
- Authors
- Yuri A. Amirkhanian, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Center for AIDS Intervention Research (CAIR), International HIV Prevention Research Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, 2071 North Summit Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
- Jeffrey A. Kelly, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Center for AIDS Intervention Research (CAIR), International HIV Prevention Research Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, 2071 North Summit Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
- Elena Kabakchieva, Heath and Social Development Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Radostina Antonova, Heath and Social Development Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Sylvia Vassileva, Heath and Social Development Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Wayne J. DiFranceisco, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Center for AIDS Intervention Research (CAIR), International HIV Prevention Research Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, 2071 North Summit Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
- Timothy L. McAuliffe, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Center for AIDS Intervention Research (CAIR), International HIV Prevention Research Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, 2071 North Summit Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
- Boyan Vassilev, Heath and Social Development Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Elena Petrova, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Roman A. Khoursine, Municipal Clinical Infectious Disease Hospital Named After S.P. Botkin, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912