This is DEBT MONEY. This is "tax dollars" they haven't even GOT.
Posted on 05/04/2009 3:18:38 AM PDT by Man50D
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is funding a study that seeks to discover a link between drinking and having sex among homosexuals in Argentina.
The study will send researchers to six bars in Buenos Aires to interview both patrons and proprietors in an effort to discover what it is about those bars that may encourage the risky behavior.
The study began on Sept. 30, 2008, and runs through Aug. 31, 2010. It already has cost taxpayers $198,776. By the time the project ends, it will have cost $403,902, according to NIH.
The grant, awarded to the New York State Psychiatric Institute, was provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the division of NIH that studies the effects of alcohol and alcoholism.
The study’s primary focus is to determine the relationship among drinking, bars frequented by homosexuals, and risky sexual behavior to see if certain bars in Argentina might be good targets for HIV-prevention campaigns.
“Targeting public venues in Buenos Aires where men meet, alcohol is consumed, and sexual behavior occurs, the goal of this two-year exploratory study is to understand the various factors that contribute to the creation of a high-risk sexual space,” the study’s abstract explains.
"To that end, the study seeks to describe the relative contribution of physical characteristics of the place, patron characteristics, type and level of alcohol consumption, and social dynamics that are at play and potentiate each other to result in sexual risk behavior."
The study has six goals, including the collection of information on six specific bars in Buenos Aires; the appearance, of those bars, alcohol availability, patrons, and types of sexual behavior taking place. The study also seeks to identify which factors contribute to alcohol consumption and sexual behavior in the bars.
“The specific aims of this study are to … 2) identify factors that contribute to alcohol use and high-risk sexual behavior in the venues,” says the abstract.
Researchers will interview 48 of the men who patronize the bars, as well as the bar staff to gather information on the types of alcohol consumed and sexual behavior engaged in.
“Venue patrons will also undergo a brief quantitative assessment to gather descriptive data on sexual behavior and substance use.”
After discovering why men who drink in these bars have homosexual sex, researchers will then try to discover whether it is possible to conduct anti-HIV interventions and how to conduct those interventions.
The study will “4) assess willingness of venue owners/personnel to partner with HIV prevention organizations in reducing HIV risk in these settings and [what] types of prevention programs they find acceptable.”
While the study is being conducted in Argentina, it is being funded with U.S. tax dollars. The grant recipients--who could not be reached for comment--say in the abstract that information gathered in the bars in Argentina might help inform similar efforts in America.
“We expect findings to be useful in informing venue-based interventions for these types of venues in other countries.”
The study is among a number funded by the NIAAA to examine the relationship between drinking and the spread of HIV, including a study of tourism, prostitution, and HIV in the Dominican Republic and another study examining drinking and HIV among prostitutes in China.
Which politicians OK’d this?
Well you see, this is an important use of our money because they will find out just how many tequila shots it takes before they * each other’s *, and how many more it takes before they pass out in a corner. Isn’t this important information for the world to know?
life imitates art
I have three or four models of vehicle in mind and have already started work on one of them.
Read the story again, then, because it is the prelude to dumping in a whole lot more money for the "prevention" phase - in Argentina!!! (paragraph 5)
I'll bet Kerry's "friend" wants $400,000 to study "child rape"...
Liberals have lost their charm.
(if they ever had any)
They like high-protein drinks from what I hear.
The grant, awarded to the New York State Psychiatric Institute..
—
They should just study their own local politicians and save the airfare..
Approach the right goobermint agency with some credentials and you might just very well get the $350K.
Obama would like it. (Not trying to be offensive.)
In related news, Barney Frank and Jim McGreevey are reportedly on their way to Argnetina for a humanity mission.
They are all insane. I just read an article stating a new PET tax credit.
The study will find that irresponsible, reckless, immoral behavior is the cause. I should be a scientist for NIH, no?
They get drunk to cover the shame of what they do, then they do dirty poopy things and other stuff that is dirty dirty dirty. Now, please forward my check, 400k please!
I’ll help ‘em with the drinking part, but if some dude comes on to me I’m punching his freaking lights OUT! ;-P
This is what we get when the deviants are in power.
FMCDH(BITS)
They could go to West Hollywood and complete their study in one bar in an evening and if lucky come home with aids!
Upgrading my '78 Camaro with the latest in fuel injection, 4-wheel antilock/stabilitrack suspension, etc... Would be very nice.
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