Multiple Partnership Patterns among Heterosexual Men in Main Partner Couples

Trent W. Moore, Florida State University
David F. Sly, Florida State University

Recent epidemiologic profiles of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. indicate an increased incidence of cases attributable to heterosexual transmission. While much of the research on heterosexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases has focused on women, a greater understanding of men’s sexual beliefs and behaviors, particularly within a couple context, should enable the design of more efficacious public health interventions. From a sample of at-risk seronegative heterosexual couples in South Florida (N=520), we examine the association of men’s multiple partnerships with various sociodemographic, behavioral risk, relational, and psychosocial factors. More specifically, we examine how these patterns vary by characteristics of the male and female main partners and the “other” partner, as well as a variety of couple-level attributes of the main-partner relationship. We also examine whether patterns vary by whether condoms were used with the “other” partner, and whether the female main partner is aware of the “other” partner.