Do rates of unprotected anal intercourse among HIV-positive MSM present a risk for hepatitis C transmission?. Issue 5 (8th June 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stall, Ron; Wei, Chongyi; Raymond, H Fisher; McFarland, Willi
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted infections. Volume 87:Issue 5(2011)
• Page Start: 439
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2011-06-08
• Subjects: Men who have sex with men -- HCV -- behavioural risk -- gay men -- hepatitis C -- sexual behaviour; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1136/sti.2010.048223
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4973

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To compare the rates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in HIV-seropositive sexual relationships with that among men in HIV-seronegative and serodiscordant relationships in the context of an emerging hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic among HIV-positive MSM. Methods: Time-location sampling was used to obtain a cross-sectional sample of MSM who attended public venues in San Francisco between November 2007 and October 2008 (N=1199). Behavioural measures of sexual risk-taking at the level of the sexual dyad were administered to the sample. Results: Men in HIV-positive/positive sexual relationships are significantly more likely to have UAI and combine sex and drugs than men in negative/negative sexual relationships. Conclusions: If it is possible to spread HCV infection between HIV-positive men via UAI, very high levels of behavioural risk among positive MSM should exist to facilitate HCV transmission. Identifying the precise behavioural risk factors for HCV among HIV-positive MSM has become an important public health priority.