“HIV-Positivity and HIV-Negativity: Two Sides of the Same Coin”. Narratives of HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Gay Men on HIV and Intimate Relationships in Greece

In order to be effective, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing should be comprehensive based on the clients' sexuality and risk practices. Using data from the Sydney Gay Community Periodic Survey, we explored trends in and factors associated with STI testing among gay men during 2003–2007. Among men who were not HIV-positive, 68% were tested for HIV in 2007. HIV testing was more common than STI testing and remained stable during 2003–2007. Use of swabs and urine samples increased significantly ( P-trend < 0.001 for each). However, until 2007, 33% of men were not tested. Sexual behaviours (higher number of partners, having casual partners and engaging in unprotected anal intercourse with them) were associated with STI testing. HIV-negative men were tested for STI less often than HIV-positive men (prevalence ratio = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.47–0.68). STI testing among HIV-negative men has improved significantly but remains inadequate for STI control and HIV prevention. It should not be assumed that appropriate and comprehensive STI screening is always provided to clients.

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Primary and secondary supportive partnerships among HIV-positive and HIV-negative middle-aged and older gay men

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0245863 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0245863

Author(s):

Matthew Statz ◽

Deanna Ware ◽

Nicholas Perry ◽

David Huebner ◽

Christopher Cox ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gay Men ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Hiv Status ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Partnership Status ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Older Gay Men ◽

Hiv Negative

This study describes the primary and secondary partnerships of aging gay men participating in the Understanding Patterns of Healthy Aging Among Men Who Have Sex with Men substudy of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and examines differences in the prevalence of these relationship structures by HIV status while adjusting for age, education, and race/ethnicity. Relationships were compared within the following structural categories: “only a primary partnership”, “only a secondary partnership”, “both a primary and secondary relationship”, or “neither a primary nor secondary relationship”. There were 1,054 participants (51.9% HIV negative/48.1% HIV positive) included in the study. Participants had a median age of 62.0 years (interquartile range: 56.0–67.0) and most reported being non-Hispanic white (74.6%) and college educated (88.0%). Of the 1,004 participants with available partnership status data, 384 (38.2%) reported no primary or secondary partnerships, 108 (10.8%) reported secondary-only partnership, 385 (38.3%) reported primary-only partnership, and 127 (12.6%) reported both primary and secondary partnerships. Of participants who reported primary partnerships only, the prevalence rates (PRs) were lower among those 62 years and older, HIV positive, black non-Hispanic and Hispanics. Of participants who reported only having a secondary partnership, the PRs were higher among those 62 years and older and HIV positive. Of participants who did not report having either a primary or secondary partnership, the PRs were higher among those 62 years and older, HIV positive, and black non-Hispanic compared with their respective referent groups. There was no significant difference in PRs of having both primary and secondary partnerships by age category, HIV status, race/ethnicity, and education. This study aimed to fill a knowledge gap in the literature regarding both primary and secondary supportive partnerships among aging HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men.

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