August 26, 2002


 
 

Last spring the CDC accomplished a "rapid ethnographic assessment" in Seattle in response to the increasing and persistent incidence of STD among gay-identified men. They noted that:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


 
 
 
 
 
Seattle's "Gay Community" is increasingly segmented, and perceived by many as cliquish...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Now that "AIDS is over" in the estimation of some, there's no common cause to bring the factions together. Some believe there has been a change in the expectations of gay men relating to HIV/STD prevention (i.e., a lack of concern & relaxation of efforts to reduce the risk of sexual encounters).
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Gay men are using condoms less...

 

Drug use is a serious and prevelant problem in the community. There's a perception that gay men as well as prevention providers are "burned out"... For many MSM, HIV is the only disease of concern, and precautionary measures do not carry over to STD prevention.


 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Many men are dissatisfied with prevention messages that suggest 100% condom useage...Few HIV+ men are asked about their sexual practices by their health care providers.
 
 





 

 

Most MSM know where to go for HIV/STD testing, but there's
poor knowledge of rates, signs and symptoms or treatment.