To decrease current increases in HIV/STDs among MSM, new strategies that include community and provider education are needed.

Clinicians need to assess sexual risk-taking behaviors and more routinely screen for STIs among sexually active men regardless of disclosure of a history of having sex with men.

The prevalence of crystal methamphetamine "meth" use among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been shown to be 20 times that of the general population, and it has been linked to increased sexual risk taking in MSM and others. Although previously seen as a "West Coast" phenomenon, clinical and other reports indicate that it is problematic among MSM regardless of geographic location. To assist in future intervention development, we interviewed 20 HIV-infected MSM who believe they seroconverted in the context of using crystal meth. Topics included factors related to continued and previous meth use, HIV risk behavior prior to and after HIV infection, and the consequences of sustained use. Generally, participants openly discussed the highly destructive effects of using crystal meth. Almost every (95%) participant spoke of chronic depression and anxiety following cycles of discontinued use, and participants often claimed an inability to enjoy activities that used to be pleasurable. Almost all (90%) respondents also reported that their social relationships were compromised by their crystal addictions. Many had lost friends, and in some cases, non-drug-using friends distanced themselves because of the addiction. A striking number of participants felt strongly that MSM sexual partner-meeting Web sites represented a major starting point for crystal-influenced sexual "hookups," and that they should likewise be a starting point for interventions. Corroborating previous research in this arena, this study exhibits support for a link between crystal meth use and high-risk sexual behavior among East Coast MSM. The study also draws attention to the need for associated mental health, functional and quality-of life impairments that seem to accompany continued use in individuals with HIV.

US men who have sex with men (n=1848) completed an online questionnaire about their willingness to use Internet-based partner notification. Eighty-one percent reported that it would be important to them to receive a partner notification e-mail if they had been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection. Seventy percent reported that if infected, they would use a public health specialist to inform partners of possible exposure through Internet notification. There was broad acceptance of Internet partner notification by at-risk US men who have sex with men, including a willingness to receive or initiate a notification e-mail.

Overall, this study documents broad acceptance of Internet PN by at-risk MSM, regardless of HIV serostatus, including a willingness to receive or initiate PN-related e-mail. If public health officials consider using Internet notification services, they may need to anticipate and address concerns of HIV-infected MSM, and will need to use a culturally-sensitive, social marketing campaign to ensure that those who may benefit from these services are willing to use this modality for PN. Internet PN should be considered as a tool to decrease rising STD and HIV rates among MSM who use the Internet to meet sexual partners.

PN is an important public health strategy for treating and preventing STDs and HIV among at-risk populations, especially MSM who engage in sexual behavior with anonymous or otherwise non-notifiable sexual partners. Although many MSM had an understanding of the ethical desirability of informing exposed partners and recognized the value of preventative behaviors, they require further education to overcome barriers to PN as well as to gain knowledge of the various methods of both traditional and nontraditional notification, such as Internet PN.

Partner notification (PN) is an essential element of local and state-level HIV/STI prevention and control programs. The current study quantitatively assessed the psychosocial and behavioral predictors of PN use among men who have sex with men (MSM) (n = 189) using multivariable logistic regression procedures. STI history or being HIV-infected were significant predictors of having notified past sexual partners of HIV/STI exposure; engaging in unprotected insertive anal sex and using poppers during sex in the 12 months prior to enrollment resulted in greater odds of PN. Symptoms of social anxiety and having a drinking problem were significant predictors of future willingness to use state department of public health PN services. Efforts to increase PN acceptability should focus on HIV-uninfected MSM, particularly those with STI history. Results suggest how to increase acceptability and use of PN as a public health strategy and underscore the need for counseling as part of the notification process.

Health messages that focus on getting tested for HIV and STDs, practicing safe sex, and incorporating straightforward and accurate information on prevention may be the most acceptable to MSM. Providers should be proactive in disseminating information about HIV/STD prevention.