Your Personal HIV Risk Assessment

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Risk Factors for HIV Transmission

You may be at increased risk for infection if you have:

injected drugs or steroids, during which equipment (such as needles, syringes, cotton, water) and blood were shared with others
had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex (that is, sex without using condoms) with men who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous partners

been given a diagnosis of, or been treated for, hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as syphilis
had unprotected sex with someone who has any of the risk factors listed above

1. How many sexual partners have you had per month in the last year?

5 or more
2–4
0–1

2. How many partners have you had per month in the previous year?

5 or more
2–4
0–1

3. The kinds of sexual contacts I have are:

One-time or anonymous "tricks, "one night stands," groups, or prostitutes
Multiple times with two or more partners
Exclusively with one partner

4. I have sexual encounters or contacts most frequently

In baths, bookstores, parties, "massage parlors," "spas," public restrooms, autos
In my or my partner’s home

5. The frequency with which I use drugs or alcohol to enhance my sexual encounters:

Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely/never

Drugs used can include: "poppers" (amyl or butyl nitrates), alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens (LSD, mushrooms), "angel dust" (PCP), amphetamines, barbituates, quaaludes, ecstasy, eve, cocaine, crack, or others.

6. I have injected myself with one or more of the above drugs in the past five years.

Yes
No

7. I have sexual encounters most frequently in:

New York, LA, San Francisco, Miami, Washington, Dallas, Houston, Newark, Atlanta
Other large urban areas (Boston, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Seattle, San Diego, etc.)
Small cities, towns, rural areas

8. Those kinds of sexual activities I practice most frequently are:

Vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom, oral–anal contact, direct fecal or urine contact,or manual–anal contact
"Protected" vaginal or anal intercourse (use of condoms and spermicides)
Oral–genital contact (fellatio or cunnilingus)
Masturbation, massage, body rubbing, kissing

9. My current sexual partner and I have discussed our previous sexual behavior and experiences with each other.

No
Yes

10. I negotiate with sexual partners for safer sexual practices.

No
Sometimes
Yes

11. I ask potential sexual partners about their use of drugs and steroids, especially their use of needles.

No
Sometimes
Yes

Source: Extracted from AIDS on the College Campus, a special report of the American College Health Association, 1989. Risk Assessment Form developed by Leland G. Wessel, M.D., M.P.H.