Unsafe Sexual Behavior Among Gay/Bisexual Men in the Era of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART)

AIDS Behav. 2017 Oct;21(10):2874-2885. doi: 10.1007/s10461-016-1614-4.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the association between psychosocial determinants of unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) and unprotected insertive anal intercourse (UIAI). Data from 417 HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study from April 1999 to March 2012 were analyzed and adjusted odds were calculated. It was found that 66% (n = 277) and 72% (n = 299) reported any UIAI or URAI over follow-up, respectively. Cumulative cART-years (median = 5.30 years) was associated with 33 and 47% increases in UIAI and URAI, respectively. Not having reduced concern about HIV transmission (UIAI: OR 0.37, p-value = 0.0004; URAI: OR 0.57, p-value = 0.04), increased safe sex fatigue (UIAI: OR 2.32, 95% p-value = 0.0002; URAI: OR 1.94, p-value = 0.003), and sexual sensation seeking (UIAI: OR 1.76, p-value = 0.002; URAI: OR 1.56, p-value = 0.02) were associated with UIAI and URAI. Serosorting was associated with UIAI (OR 6.11, p-value < 0.0001) and URAI (OR 6.80, p-value < 0.0001). Findings suggest that negative attitudes about HIV transmission are sustained among older men who have sex with men.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre determinantes psicosociales de sexo anal receptivo desprotegido (CARD) y sexo anal insertivo desprotegido (CAID). Datos de 417 participantes VIH positivos del Estudio Multicéntrico de Cohorte de SIDA (English: Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, MACS) de abril del 1999 a marzo del 2012 fueron analizados y las oportunidades relativas (OR) ajustadas fueron calculadas. Se encontró que 66% (n=277) y 72% (n=299) reportaron alguna actividad de CARD o CAID durante el tiempo del seguimiento, respectivamente. El tiempo cumulativo de tratamiento antiretroviral combinado en años (median=5.30 años) estuvo asociado con un incremento de 33% y 47% de la actividad de CARD y CAID, respectivamente. No haber experimentado este tipo de actividades sexuales redujo el riesgo de transmisión de VIH (CARD: OR=0.37, p=0.0004; CAID: OR=0.57, p=0.04), aumento la fatiga sexual segura (CARD: OR=2.32, 95% p=0.0002; CAID: OR=1.94, p=0.003), e incremento la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales (CARD: OR=1.76, p=0.002; CAID: OR=1.56, p=0.02). Serodiscriminación estuvo asociado con CARD (OR=6.11, p<0.0001) y CAID (OR=6.80, p<0.0001). Estos hallazgos sugieren que las actitudes negativas sobre la transmisión del VIH se mantienen entre participantes mayores del estudio de hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (HSH).

Keywords: Anti-retroviral agents; Cohort study; HIV; Homosexuality; Male; Sexual behavior.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  • Bisexuality / psychology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Safe Sex / psychology
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*
  • Sexual Partners / psychology
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Unsafe Sex / psychology*
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data