• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.4 s.44
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• pp.541-550
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• 1993

In order to investigate psychological and behavioral characteristics of homosexuals and to present evidence that homosexuals are in danger of HIV infection in Korea, this study was done by self-administered questionnaire and then direct interview with the 28 (35%) HIV infected homosexual/bisexuals of 79 HIV infected persons reported in 1992. Homosexuals without heterosexual activity were 9 and the others were bisexuals. Sixty-five percent of respondents had a guilty conscience for their homosexual activty. Twenty (71%) were in twenties and 5 (18%) in thirties. Twelve(43%) were detected via health card checking by health office, 21% by blood donation, 18% by hospital visit, and 7% by partner notification. Motivations for homosexual activity were curiosity (36%), temptation or recommendation (14%) and compulsion (11%). Eighteen (72%) never used condom on anal sex. Nine of 26 respondents had experience for anal sex with foreigners. Fourteen (54%) of 26 respondents had history for sexually transmitted diseases. Fighty percent did not have sexual contact after HIV infection and the others usually used condom. It was confirmed that over 57% of the respondents were infected within 1 year before HIV diagnosis and over 82% within 2 years. These data suggest that HTV infection among homosexual group is rapidly spreading.