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Abstract
HIgh risk sexual behaviour increases among London gay men between 1998-2001: what is the role of HIV optimism?
J Elford1, G Bolding2, L Sherr2
1City University, London, United Kingdom; 2Royal Free & UC Medical School, London, United Kingdom
Background: To examine whether HIV optimism (ie optimism in the light of new HIV drug therapies) can account for the recent increase in high risk sexual behaviour among gay men in London.
Methods: Gay men (n=2938) using central London gyms were asked to complete anonymous self-administered questionnnaires in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. At each time point information was collected on HIV status, unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the previous 3 months and agreement/disagreement with two optimism statements concerning (a) severity of, and (b) vulnerability to infection with HIV. Those who agreed were classified as "optimistic".
Results: Between 1998-2001 the percentage of men reporting high risk UAI (ie UAI with a casual partner of unknown or discordant HIV status) increased: HIV positive men, 15.3% to 38.8%; HIV negative men 6.8%, 12.1%; never-tested men 2.1%, 7.7% (p<0.01). Overall less than a third of the men were classified as optimistic. In cross-sectional analysis, optimistic HIV positive and negative men (but not the never-tested) were more likely to report high risk UAI than other men (p<0.05). However, the increase in high risk UAI between 1998-2001 was seen in both those who were optimistic (the minority) and those who were not (the majority) (p<0.05). In a multivariate model, the increase in high risk UAI over time remained significant after controlling for HIV optimism (all men, odds ratio 1.54 per year, 95% CI 1.14, 2.05, p<0.01). There was no significant interaction between optimism and time although for HIV positive men this was borderline (p=0.07).
Conclusion: Among London gay men, the increase in high risk sexual behaviour between 1998-2001 was statistically independent of HIV optimism. The modelled increase in high risk UAI was seen equally in those who were optimistic and those who were not. This provides evidence that HIV optimism alone can not explain the recent increase in high risk sexual behaviour among London gay men.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
ThOrD1450
Suggested Citation
" J Elford , , et al.
HIgh risk sexual behaviour increases among London gay men between 1998-2001: what is the role of HIV optimism?
.
Oral Abstract:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
ThOrD1450"
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