The Predominant Relationship Between Sexual Environment Characteristics and HIV-Serodiscordant Condomless Anal Sex among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

In some studies, situational factors have been shown to be stronger predictors of condomless sex than individual risk factors. Cross-sectional relationships between condomless anal sex (CAS) with HIV-serodiscordant partners and risk factors across ecological levels (individual, sexual environment) were examined using a sample of HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) who reported multiple recent episodes of CAS. 

Negative binomial regressions were used to evaluate the association of contextual risk factors (e.g., substance use during sex, transactional sex, public sex, sex at a sex party) with recent condomless sex, controlling for demographics and mental health. Results demonstrated that sexual environment factors, particularly sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol, transactional sex, and public sex explained a large proportion of the variance in CAS. Only sex at a sex party was not related to CAS. For each additional sexual environment in which men engaged, their rates of CAS increased. 

Secondary prevention interventions that are tailored to the proximal sexual environment could be maximally effective, particularly if they address substance use and other challenging sexual situations.

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By: Perry NS1,2, Wade Taylor S3,4, Elsesser S4, Safren SA4,5, O'Cleirigh C6,7,8.

• 1Behavioral Medicine Service, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 1 Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
• 2Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
• 3Department of Social Work, Wheelock College, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
• 4Fenway Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
• 5Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA.
• 6Behavioral Medicine Service, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 1 Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
• 7Fenway Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
• 8Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.

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