Domestic Abuse and HIV-Risk Behavior in Latin American Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City

This study was conducted with 273 Latin American men who have sex with men living in the New York metropolitan area. The results show that 51% of the men reported having experienced domestic abuse at least once in their relationships. Up to 12% of these men had been forced to have receptive anal sex without condoms by one of their partners since 1981. Thirty-three percent of the respondents reported having experienced verbal and psychological abuse, and 35% reported physical abuse (but not sexual) perpetrated by one of their partners. Statistical analysis found strong correlation between being a victim of physical and sexual abuse, and practicing receptive anal sex without condoms. Additional tests showed strong relationships between having experienced sexual abuse during childhood, using recreational drugs, having low self-esteem and self-worth, and experiencing domestic abuse in intimate adult relationships.