@unpublished{pittir8637,
           month = {September},
           title = {Exploring the Motivations, Attitudes, Beliefs and Intentions of Men Who Have Sex with Men for Acquiring Sex Partners},
          author = {Charles Lafayette Christen},
            year = {2010},
        keywords = {Attitudes; Beliefs; Homosexuality; Intentions; Men Who Have Sex with Men; Motivations; MSM; Sex Partners},
             url = {http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/8637/},
        abstract = {This study explores the sexual motivations, attitudes, beliefs and intentions (MABI) of men who have sex with men (MSM), utilizing qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study uses the theory of planned behavior for its theoretical framework. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 men between the ages of 18 and 39 years of age residing in the southwestern Pennsylvania area, who reported sexual activity with at least one male partner in the preceding year. These interviews provided information for the development of a survey instrument to measure response to various motivations, attitudes, beliefs and intentions (MABI) and how these correlate to numbers of sex partners in a twelve-month period along with the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a lifetime. For the quantitative component, a convenience sample of 150 MSM from a variety of venues was surveyed and the data analyzed through frequency distribution, crosstabs, correlations, factor analysis and logistic regression, Sample size and the number of variables created the need for factor analysis. Nine new variables related to MABI were created. Association between these variables and a series of key outcomes were assessed. Outcomes include low number of sex partners in 12 months ({\ensuremath{<}}4), no STIs in a lifetime, and no intention to have an open relationship. Results indicate that physical and emotional trust are significant predictors of a low number of sex partners in a twelve-month period considered, no lifetime STIs, and never having an intention to be in an open relationship. The public health relevance of this study is that an increased understanding of what drives the sexual partnering of MSM will provide the basis for improved HIV and STI prevention programs.}
}