1. How Does The Gay Community View The BC And GG Phenomenon?

Historically men who have sex with men (MSM) have and continue to remain significantly vulnerable to contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Given HIV is the precursor to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV prevention efforts have long been the central focus of public health practitioners (PHP). Presently, prevention not only remains the single most important armament for reducing new incidences of the virus but also the most significant weapon necessary to bring an end to HIV.

Change behavior plays an important role in curbing many of today’s public health threats, which the same holds true for HIV transmission rates. However, there’s a sub-cultural phenomenon involving MSM who engage in a high-risk sexual behavior commonly referred to as bug-chasing (BC) and gift-giving (GG) (Dean, 2008). In short, BC refers to the actions of an individual(s) who willfully seek to become infected with HIV. Such persons are referred to as bug-chasers (BCs). On the other hand, GG refers to the actions of an HIV-positive person(s) who willingly gifts HIV. These individuals are referred to as gift-givers (GGs) (Breitfeller & Kanekar, 2012). Important to note, the terms willfully and willingly indicate intentional behavior; thus, the intervening agent of change behavior faces unprecedented challenges. With that said, the purpose of this study serves to ascertain an enhanced understanding of the multifariousness regarding the behavior of MSM who openly seek to acquire or transmit HIV. …show more content…
Research Questions

The specific intent of this qualitative research study is to investigate not only the beliefs and attitudes of MSM who identify as BCs and GGs, but also to examine the basic qualities of BCs and GGs logical and illogical emotions, thinking, and behaviors. More specifically, this research will explore the following six questions:
1. How does the gay community view the BC and GG phenomenon?
2. How do BCs and GGs rationalize their intent?
3. Do BCs truly wish to become infected or is it a sexual thrill associated with danger? 4. Is there an increase in BC and GG activity in the gay community? 5. Has the advent of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) lead to an increase in BC and GG? 6. How does the notion that HIV is no longer considered a death sentence factor into this practice? Subsequently, these research question will aid in the discovery of a current perspective on this issue. Further research is warranted when considering it fell from the research …show more content…
Therefore, it’s important to differentiate between the true BC from those individuals who label themselves as such given the high-risk of HIV transmission and barebacking. Essentially, the later issue pertains to construct validity given it can result in the presentation of two results in which an individual sees as pertaining to the same thing, when in fact, they are about another (Trochim, Donnelly, & Arora, 2016). Another issue involving validity results from respondent honesty or lack thereof, which can influence the study results; thus, a cross-sectional analysis of past studies will serve as a vital resource when establishing validity.

Arguably, it’s not as much an issue of quantifying the extent of this practice instead it’s about gaining an understanding of the rationale of those engaging in such behavior. With enhanced knowledge, public health practitioners are better positioned to intervene and foster environments of change behavior. To that end, change behavior advances individuals in the direction of not only safe sexual practices but also improved sexual