O18 Sexual behaviour, partnership patterns and STI diagnoses among HIV positive MSM: implications for HIV/STIs transmission and partner notification

Abstract

Background HIV infection continues to disproportionately affect MSM in the UK. The 2011 HPA report "Sexually Transmitted Infections in MSM in the UK" highlights the need for one-to-one behavioural interventions. Thus, identifying those at highest risk is essential. Aims To profile the sexual behaviour of younger MSM attending a dedicated clinic. To establish how MSM perceive their sexual risk and explore the use of a simple HIV Risk Assessment Tool (HIVRAT). Methods MSM attending a weekly clinic offering HIV testing selfcomplete a 6 question HIVRAT in addition to standard history. The HIVRAT records number of male partners in previous 12 months, and number of unprotected anal intercourse (UPAI) partners (previous 3 and 12 months). It also contains a Likert scale of perceived sexual risk. Data was collected over 6 months from June 2011. Statistical analysis was performed in Excel and correlated using Spearman's Rank methodology. Results 138 men completed the HIVRAT (aged 18e35). Median number of sexual partners in preceding 12 months ¼ 8 (range 1e250, 42% reported >10 partners). Median number of UPAI partners in preceding 3 months ¼0 (range 0e5) and 12 months ¼1 (range 0e8). Perceived risk was scored as 1¼ Very low (20.4%), 2 (44.5%), 3 (28.5%), 4 (4.4%) and 5¼ Very high (2.2%). There was poor correlation between sexual behaviour and perceived risk. For MSM who had UPAI with one or more partners in the previous 3 and 12 months, there was a moderately positive correlation between actual risk and perceived risk (SRCC 0.517 and 0.544 respectively). Conclusions Only 6.6% of MSM judged their personal HIV risk as high in a cohort where 36% reported UPAI with two or more partners in 12 months. Tools like HIVRAT provide valuable information which is not routinely collected. Asking about UPAI during the 12-month period prior to testing showed the strongest correlation between actual and perceived risk, and could help identify MSM who would benefit most from behavioural intervention.

Psychometric testing of the consequences of an HIV disclosure instrument in Mandarin: a cross-sectional study of persons living with HIV in Hunan, China

“…This is also indicated by other studies that suggested that the consequences of the costs of disclosure might impede PN. 40 – 42 To say that a factor is “important” in one’s decision to disclose is slightly different from saying one expected this to be a consequence of disclosure. For example, the consequence, “we get closer”, might be an important for PLWH deciding on whether to disclose their status, but they might not expect to feel closer to their partner after making that disclosure in reality because their relationship was not close.…”

A Review of Empirical Studies on the Views on the Criminalisation of STIs/HIV Transmission in the UK

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Longitudinal Event-Level Sexual Risk and Substance Use among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

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