Safe-Sex Knowledge, Sexual Behavior, and Drug Use A thesis

Research Design and Methods
This study uses a cross-sectional survey design to obtain information about the
impact of the source of safe-sex knowledge upon sexual behavior of MSM’s (men who
have sex with men).
The Survey Instrument
A self-administered questionnaire was utilized in this survey. It was taken by the
respondents in the presence of the researcher or an associate of the researcher. Upon
completion of the survey a reward was given to each respondent (see Sampling & Data
Collection for more information on sampling and rewards). The questionnaire was
designed to measure variables for this study as well as other studies (e.g., identity vs.
behavior). Overall, the questionnaire measures demographics, including but not limited
to race/ethnicity, age, income, and education level.
For this study, particularly, the questionnaire measures these key variables: source
of information, risky behaviors, and sexual behaviors. To measure source of safe-sex
information, respondents were asked to list the 3 primary sources from which they
obtained safe-sex information. Risky behaviors were measured by asking respondents
about the frequency of their drinking (to the point of being drunk) and drug use histories
over the past 6 months. Sexual behavior was measured by asking about whether the
respondent used a condom and/or discussed safe-sex practices prior to engaging in sex
with his sex partner(s). Another dimension of sexual behavior was captured by asking
about the respondent’s record of having been tested for HIV/STI’s. A copy of the
finalized questionnaire is included in Appendix A.
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