Goggin M, Rosenthal D; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12; 10: 385 (abstract no. PD0146).

LaTrobe University, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the changes in the sexual behaviours of HIV positive young men over a one year period examining the factors influencing their behaviour particularly unprotected sex. METHOD: 101 HIV positive young gay men, aged 17 to 30 years (mean 26.0), completed a questionnaire regarding their sexual activity with casual and regular partners of varying HIV serostatus. Time since diagnosis, health status, history of prostitution, current drug and alcohol use and attachment to the gay and HIV community and other factors were examined. One year later, 82 of these men completed the same questionnaire and, in taped interviews, were asked about their sexual experiences and attitudes towards unprotected sex. RESULTS: Unprotected anal intercourse with partners known to be HIV negative or of unknown HIV status increased from 15% to 33% over the year. At the first stage, unprotected sex was mostly with anonymous and casual partners which was predicted by high number of partners, high drug use, recent HIV diagnosis and prostitution history. At the second stage, the majority of the increasing level of unprotected sex, which was predicted by high attachment to the gay and HIV community, was occurring within long term relationships of discordant HIV status. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: While the majority consistently practiced safe sex, those engaging in unprotected sex did so mostly in long term relationships or in one-off anonymous encounters, typically in gay saunas. When in relationships, young men made complex choices about sexual behaviours and their consequences often out of intense love, trust and mutual consent. In contrast, disclosure of HIV status to anonymous partners was rare. Generally, an anonymous partners' willingness to engage in unsafe sex was interpreted as acceptance of the consequences. Different educational strategies (anonymous sex/relationships) are discussed.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Homosexuality
• Homosexuality, Male
• Humans
• Male
• Prostitution
• Questionnaires
• Safe Sex
• Sexual Behavior
• Substance-Related Disorders
• Unsafe Sex

Other ID:

• 94370494

UI: 102209324

From Meeting Abstracts