Homosexual experience and recent homosexual encounters: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Background The aim of this study is to describe homosexual experience and characteristics of recent homosexual encounters among Australian adults and identify changes between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years and the participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Respondents indicated the number of same-sex partners they had had in their lifetime and in the last 12 months. Those who reported any homosexual experience were asked the age at which this first occurred and about characteristics of the first and most recent homosexual encounter. Results: Reporting ever having same-sex experience was more common in women (13.5%) than in men (6.5%, P < 0.001). Among these people, men reported more lifetime and recent same-sex partners than women (P < 0.001). Same-sex experience was associated with some but not all indices of higher socioeconomic status. In men, it was associated with living in a major city (P = 0.02) and in women, it was associated with younger (<30 years) age and with very low income (P < 0.001). Men were younger than women at their first homosexual encounter (P = 0.005). Women were more likely than men to have their first same-sex encounter with a regular partner. For women but not men, there was a significant increase in the proportion reporting same-sex experience since 2001–02. Conclusion: Same-sex experience is not uncommon and is increasing in prevalence in young Australian women. The high number of same-sex partners among homosexual and bisexual men places them at greater risk of sexually transmissible infection.

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Experiences of sexual coercion in a representative sample of adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh14103 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 472 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Richard O. de Visser ◽

Paul B. Badcock ◽

Chris Rissel ◽

Juliet Richters ◽

Anthony M. A. Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Representative Sample ◽

Sexual Coercion ◽

Participation Rate ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Australian Study ◽

Men And Women ◽

Telephone Interviews ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽

Transmissible Infection

Background It is important to have current reliable estimates of the prevalence, correlates and consequences of sexual coercion among a representative sample of Australian adults and to identify changes over time in prevalence and consequences. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 Australian men and women aged 16–69 years. The participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Sexual coercion (i.e. being forced or frightened into sexual activity) was reported by 4.2% of men and 22.4% of women. Sexual coercion when aged ≤16 years was reported by 2.0% of men and 11.5% of women. Correlates of sexual coercion were similar for men and women. Those who had been coerced reported greater psychosocial distress, were more likely to smoke, were more anxious about sex and more likely to have acquired a sexually transmissible infection. Few people had talked to others about their experiences of sexual coercion and fewer had talked to a professional. There were no significant differences between the First and Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships in whether men or women had experienced coercion, talked to anyone about this or talked to a counsellor or psychologist. Conclusion: Sexual coercion has detrimental effects on various aspects of people’s lives. It usually occurs at the ages at which people become sexually active. There is a need to reduce the incidence of sexual coercion, better identify experiences of sexual coercion, and provide accessible services to minimise the detrimental effects of sexual coercion.

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Perceptions of sexually transmissible infection pre-exposure prophylaxis: a qualitative study of high-risk gay and bisexual men in Sydney, New South Wales

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh19175 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 129

Author(s):

Ryan Horn ◽

Denton Callander ◽

Bridget Haire

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Side Effects ◽

High Risk ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Perceived Benefits ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽

Transmissible Infection

Background Novel sexually transmissible infection (STI) prevention strategies are needed to combat increasing bacterial STI incidences alongside decreasing condom use among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Australia. Sexually transmissible infection pre-exposure prophylaxis (STI-PrEP) using regular doxycycline is one such strategy that is the subject of ongoing research. However, a lack of qualitative data regarding the conceptualisation, perceived risks, perceived benefits and preferred dosing strategies of STI-PrEP may impede future research and implementation efforts. Methods: Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 high-risk GBM residing in Sydney, Australia. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and then analysed thematically. Results: STI-PrEP was largely conceptualised using pre-existing knowledge of HIV-PrEP. The perceived benefits, including a reduced incidence of STIs, destigmatisation and a ‘peace of mind’, often outweighed the perceived risks, including side effects, antibiotic resistance and stigmatisation of consumers. A daily dosing regimen was preferred unanimously by participants when compared with event-driven or episodic strategies. Conclusions: Participants of this study were cautiously optimistic regarding the concept of STI-PrEP. The findings suggest that, in addition to examining the effectiveness of STI-PrEP, future implementation studies should also focus on concerns regarding side effects and monitoring antibiotic resistance, as well as considering the acceptability and potential for stigmatisation of STI-PrEP consumers.

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PrEP your team! Clinician initiation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis discussion at sexually transmissible infection testing and diagnosis in gay and bisexual men

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/09564624211014406 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 095646242110144

Author(s):

Shannon C Woodward ◽

Ingrid H Elvy ◽

Sarah J Martin

Keyword(s):

Health Centre ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Recent Diagnosis ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Medical Record Audit ◽

Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽

Transmissible Infection

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for gay and bisexual men (GBM) with recent diagnosis of rectal chlamydia (CT), rectal gonorrhoea (NG) or infectious syphilis. A retrospective medical record audit was undertaken at Canberra Sexual Health Centre (CSHC) of all GBM who met this criterion in 2019 and were thus determined to be at higher risk of acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pre-exposure prophylaxis was discussed and/or commenced in 85% of GBM at higher risk of HIV. Audit results and education were provided to the team with a post-interventional audit in 2020 showing significant improvement. This audit is easily replicated and may be applicable to other settings engaged in GBM care.

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An alternative model of sexually transmissible infection testing in men attending a sex-on-premises venue in Sydney: a cross-sectional descriptive study

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh15174 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 353 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cherie Bennett ◽

Vickie Knight ◽

Douglas Knox ◽

James Gray ◽

Gemma Hartmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Health Centre ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Local Health ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽

Transmissible Infection

Background Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) partnered with a large sex-on-premises venue, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District HIV and Related Programs Unit and AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) to develop and implement a community-based sexually transmissible infection (STI) screening model co-located in a sex-on-premises venue. This paper describes the process, the outcomes and examines the cost of this model. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of gay and bisexual men (GBM) attending a STI testing service co-located in a sex-on-premises venue in Sydney city between the 1 November 2012 and 31 May 2014. Results: A total of 402 patrons had 499 testing episodes in the study period. Testing patrons were a median of 39.5 years of age, 221 (55%) were born overseas, 85 (21%) spoke a language other than English at home and 54 (13%) had a STI at first testing. A total of 105 (26%) testing patrons had never tested for a STI before. Of the 297 (74%) who had been tested before, 83 (21%) had not been tested within the last 12 months. A total of 77 STIs were detected in 63 people over 499 testing episodes, giving a STI positivity rate of 15% in the testing episodes. The prevalence of rectal chlamydia was the highest at 8% followed by pharyngeal gonorrhoea at 3%. A total of 97% of testing patrons were successfully relayed their results via their preferred methods within a median of 7.5 days. Conclusion: This paper highlights that offering STI screening in a community-based setting was an effective and low-cost alternative to traditional testing services.

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Status of same-sex partnerships in Ukraine

Sociology: Theory, Methods, Marketing ◽

10.15407/sociology2020.03.143 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 143-166

Author(s):

MAKSYM KASIANZUK ◽

SVIATOSLAV SHEREMET ◽

OLESIA TROFYMENKO

Keyword(s):

National Level ◽

Quantitative Information ◽

Academic Community ◽

Small Sample ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Same Sex ◽

Significant Similarity ◽

Male Couples ◽

Same Sex Couples ◽

And Bisexual

The proposed article aims to summarize available quantitative and qualitative data on same-sex partnerships in Ukraine, including data on the presence of children in such partnerships, over the last twenty years (1999–2018). The increasing number of publications on various aspects of the existence of same-sex couples in English demonstrates the relevance of the topic. The information available in Ukraine is the richest in comparison with other post-Soviet countries of the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. At the same time, LGBT families remain out of the academic community in Ukraine, and the data collected are mostly contained in the so-called "gray literature" (mainly research reports by public organizations), and are not introduced into scientific circulation. It is shown that, depending on the composition of the sample and the definition of same-sex partnership used by the researchers, this percentage most often falls within the range of 16–28% of surveyed homosexual and bisexual men residing in the capital and regional centers of Ukraine. Quantitative information on women partnerships is extremely limited (one survey of a small sample), and there is no quantitative data for the couples, where one or both partners are transgenders. Quantitative information on children in same-sex partnerships is also very limited, and the data in the literature (with all the methodological disadvantages indicated) ranges from 14% to 29% of LGB, which have children, but it is unknown whether these children were raised in same-sex couples. With regard to quality information, the situation is different — a little bit more is known about the status of women and partly transgender partnerships (including the issue of children in such families) than about male couples. Separate data demonstrates a significant similarity in the same-sex partnership structure to the typical heterosexual egalitarian family model (two partners and their children), taking into account more egalitarian marriage roles, lack of formal status, and associated socio-economic risks. Further research (including national level) should be based on a common understanding of what constitutes “same-sex partnership”, what are the characteristics of same-sex partnership (civil, family), what characteristics of civil partnership turn it into a“family”, etc.

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Sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual experience: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh14117 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 451 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Juliet Richters ◽

Dennis Altman ◽

Paul B. Badcock ◽

Anthony M. A. Smith ◽

Richard O. de Visser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Identity ◽

Female Sexuality ◽

Sexual Attraction ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Sexual Experience ◽

Participation Rate ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Same Sex ◽

Men And Women ◽

Sex Attraction

Background Behavioural and other aspects of sexuality are not always consistent. This study describes the prevalence and overlap of same-sex and other-sex attraction and experience and of different sexual identities in Australia. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years recruited by landline and mobile phone random-digit dialling with a response rate (participation rate among eligible people) of 66.2%. Respondents were asked about their sexual identity (‘Do you think of yourself as’ heterosexual/straight, homosexual/gay, bisexual, etc.) and the sex of people with whom they had ever had sexual contact and to whom they had felt sexually attracted. Results: Men and women had different patterns of sexual identity. Although the majority of people identified as heterosexual (97% men, 96% women), women were more likely than men to identify as bisexual. Women were less likely than men to report exclusively other-sex or same-sex attraction and experience; 9% of men and 19% of women had some history of same-sex attraction and/or experience. Sexual attraction and experience did not necessarily correspond. Homosexual/gay identity was more common among men with tertiary education and living in cities and less common among men with blue-collar jobs. Many gay men (53%) and lesbians (76%) had some experience with an other-sex partner. More women identified as lesbian or bisexual than in 2001–02. Similarly, more women reported same-sex experience and same-sex attraction. Conclusion: In Australia, men are more likely than women to report exclusive same-sex attraction and experience, although women are more likely than men to report any non-heterosexual identity, experience and attraction. Whether this is a feature of the plasticity of female sexuality or due to lesser stigma than for men is unknown.

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Australian gay and bisexual men’s online preferences about sex with HIV-positive partners

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh16191 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 221 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Garrett Prestage ◽

Benjamin Bavinton ◽

Denton Callander ◽

Steven P. Philpot ◽

Iryna Zablotska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Safer Sex ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Sex Partners ◽

Hiv Status ◽

Capital Cities ◽

Gay Community ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Hiv Positive Men

Background Among gay and bisexual men (GBM), ‘serosorting’ is common and involves restricting sex, or at least condomless sex, to partners of the same HIV status. The prevalence of men conveying their serosorting preferences regarding partners they meet online remains unclear. Methods: This study reviewed 57 178 Australian online profiles obtained directly from a popular gay website. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with preferences for meeting HIV-positive partners. Results: Men could indicate their preferences from a list of 22 types of partners; 4358 profiles (7.6%) indicated an interest in meeting HIV-positive men. There were 1959 profiles (3.4%) listing a preference for 21 of the 22 types of men, including 1498 men (2.6%) that specifically excluded HIV-positive men. Men who specifically excluded HIV-positive men on their profiles were younger (mean age 34.7 years), less likely to identify as gay (25.6%) and more likely to always prefer ‘safer sex’ (55.3%) than those who specifically included them (mean age 39.6 years; 62.8% gay-identified; 30.9% preferred safer sex; P < 0.001). Men who specifically excluded HIV-positive partners on their profiles were also more likely to live outside major capital cities (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Being younger, living outside major cities, not identifying as gay, always preferring safer sex and either Caucasian or Asian background were associated with excluding HIV-positive men as potential sex partners. These factors may reflect lower social and community engagement with the gay community. The disinclination to include HIV-positive men as potential sex partners may be due to fear of infection, stigma or poor information about HIV.

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Heterosexual experience and recent heterosexual encounters among Australian adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh14105 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 416 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Chris Rissel ◽

Paul B. Badcock ◽

Anthony M. A. Smith ◽

Juliet Richters ◽

Richard O. de Visser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Representative Sample ◽

Participation Rate ◽

Anal Intercourse ◽

Sexual Partners ◽

Oral Sex ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Telephone Interviews ◽

Multiple Partners ◽

Lifetime Experience ◽

Lifetime Number

Background Current information about numbers of other-sex partners, experiences of different heterosexual behaviours and the recent heterosexual experiences among a representative sample of Australian adults is needed. It is not known whether these practices have changed between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 9963 men and 10 131 women aged 16–69 years from all states and territories. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Men reported more sexual partners than women, although the lifetime number of heterosexual partners reported by women increased significantly between 2001–02 and 2012–13. In 2012–13, 14.7% of men and 8.6% of women reported two or more sexual partners in the last year. Reporting multiple partners was significantly associated with being younger, being bisexual, living in major cities, having a lower income, having a blue-collar occupation and not being married. The proportion of respondents reporting ever having had oral sex or anal intercourse increased significantly since the last survey. At the last heterosexual encounter, 91.9% of men and 66.2% of women had an orgasm, oral sex was reported in only approximately one in four encounters and anal intercourse was uncommon. Conclusion: There were increases between 2001–02 and 2012–13 in partner numbers among women and in the lifetime experience of oral and anal sex. The patterns of heterosexual experience in Australia are similar to those found in studies of representative samples in other countries.

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Patterns of Abuse in Male Same-Sex Relationships

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.23.5.617 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 617-636 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Kim Bartholomew ◽

Katherine V. Regan ◽

Monica A. White ◽

Doug Oram

Keyword(s):

Partner Violence ◽

Partner Abuse ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Multiple Time ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Same Sex ◽

Unwanted Sexual Activity ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Almost All ◽

Time Frames

Previous studies of abuse in male same-sex relationships have been limited by convenience samples and/or by incomplete assessments of partner abuse. We examined patterns of same-sex partner abuse in a random sample of 284 gay and bisexual men. Respondents reported on perpetration and receipt of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse over multiple time frames, as well as injuries resulting from abuse. Almost all respondents reported psychological abuse, more than one-third reported physical abuse, and 10% reported having engaged in unwanted sexual activity because of partner force or threats of force. More than half of recipients of partner violence reported sustaining injury. We found strong associations between different forms of abuse, and between severity of abuse receipt and perpetration.

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High willingness to use novel HIV and bacterial sexually transmitted infection partner notification, testing, and treatment strategies among gay and bisexual men

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2019-053974 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 96 (3) ◽

pp. 173-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Steven A John ◽

Tyrel J Starks ◽

H Jonathon Rendina ◽

Jeffrey T Parsons ◽

Christian Grov

Keyword(s):

Perceived Risk ◽

Partner Notification ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Casual Partner ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Sex Partners ◽

Anal Sex ◽

Condomless Anal Sex ◽

And Bisexual

ObjectivesWe sought to determine willingness of gay and bisexual men (GBM) to give HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits with patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) and engage in geosocial sexual networking (GSN) app-based partner notification.MethodsA nationwide sample of GBM who self-tested HIV negative (n=786) were asked about their willingness to give recent sex partners (main and casual) PDPT with an HIVST kit (PDPT+HIVST) after hypothetical bacterial STI (BSTI) diagnosis. Men were also asked about their willingness to notify sexual partners met on GSN apps using an anonymous app function after BSTI diagnosis. We examined associations of relationship status and condomless anal sex with casual partners, recent BSTI diagnosis and perceived risk of HIV on PDPT+HIVST and anonymous app-based partner notification willingness (dichotomised) using binary logistic regressions, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education and US region. From the partner’s perspective after receiving an app-based referral, frequency measures were used to report intentions for obtaining subsequent HIV/BSTI counselling and testing, engaging in HIVST if provided a free voucher, and obtaining BSTI treatment from a pharmacy with prescription voucher.ResultsMost (90.1%) were willing to give PDPT+HIVST to recent sex partners after STI diagnosis, and nearly all (96.4%) were willing to notify sex partners met online using an anonymous function within GSN apps. Regardless of casual partner condomless anal sex engagement, partnered GBM had higher odds of reporting willingness to give PDPT+HIVST compared with single men who recently engaged in condomless anal sex with a casual partner. If anonymously notified via an app, 92.5% reported they would likely obtain counselling and testing, 92.8% would engage in HIVST if provided a free voucher, and 93.4% would obtain treatment from a pharmacy with prescription voucher.ConclusionsGBM generally found novel partner notification, testing, and treatment strategies acceptable, indicating the need for feasibility and cost-effectiveness evaluations.

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