Factors related to condomless anal intercourse between men who have sex with men: results from a European bio-behavioural survey. (15th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sherriff, N S; Jones, A M; Mirandola, M; Gios, L; Marcus, U; Llewellyn, C; Rosinska, M; Folch, C; Dias, S; Toskin, I; Alexiev, I; Kühlmann-Berenzon, S
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health. Volume 42:Number 2(2020:Jun.)
• Page Start: e174
• Page End: e186
• Publication Date: 2019-05-15
• Subjects: HIV -- MSM -- relationships -- respondent-driven sampling -- time-location sampling; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-3842

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Relationship status is an important factor associated with condomless anal intercourse (CAI) amongst men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A multi-centre bio-behavioural survey with MSM was conducted in 13 European cities ( n = 4901) exploring factors associated with CAI via bivariate and multivariate multilevel logistic regression analyses. Results: Likelihood of CAI with casual partners was associated with being 'out' to a majority (AOR = 1.19;95% CI 1, 1.42); knowing their HIV status (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI 1.25, 2.76); using substances (1–2 AOR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.16, 1.63, 2+ AOR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.35, 2.42); being older (AOR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.97, 0.99); successful sero-communication (AOR = 0.79; 95% CI 0.67, 0.94); and, not having a recent HIV test (AOR = 0.78; 95% CI 0.66, 0.92). CAI with steady partners was associated with successful sero-communication (AOR = 2.72; 95% CI 2.72, 3.66); not having a recent HIV test (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI 1.09, 1.46), and; being older (AOR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.98, 0.99). Conclusions: Understandings of partner type and/or relationship status in relation to CAI amongst MSM can potentially play an important role in the development of culturally appropriate HIV/STI prevention and risk-reduction efforts targeting at-risk MSM. Our results speak to the need to consider segmented and tailored public health and health promotion initiatives for MSM with differing CAI behaviours and relationship profiles.