Saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex is a risk factor for rectal gonorrhoea among men who have sex with men, a new public health message: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Studies suggest men who have sex with men (MSM) practising receptive anal sex are more likely to present with secondary syphilis, implying primary anorectal lesions are likely to be missed. If men could detect anorectal lesions in the primary stage by regular anal self-examination (ASE), transmission could be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to explore the attitudes of MSM on performing ASE to detect primary anorectal syphilis. An online anonymous cross-sectional survey among MSM over 18 years of age living in Australia, was conducted between July and November 2020 and recruitment was from a sexual health clinic and social media. A total of 574 MSM completed the survey (median age: 34 [IQR 27–45]): 32% (183) had previously performed ASE. Among 56% (374) who had never performed ASE, 68% (250) would consider performing ASE in the future with a preferred median frequency of 2 times per 4 weeks (IQR: 1–4), whilst men who were already performing ASE were performing it at median 1 per 4 weeks (IQR: 0.2-3). Almost two-thirds of MSM who had never performed ASE were willing to adopt ASE practice in the future. Studies are required to determine the effectiveness of ASE for syphilis detection.

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Factors Associated with Use of Latex Condom-Compatible Lubricants by Men Who Have Sex with Men in India: Implications for HIV Prevention

Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

10.1155/2013/161085 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shreena Ramanathan ◽

Venkatesan Chakrapani ◽

Lakshmi Ramakrishnan ◽

Prabuddhagopal Goswami ◽

Diwakar Yadav ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Large Scale ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Anal Sex ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Indian States ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Water Based ◽

Sex With Men

We examined the prevalence and type of rectal lubricants use and factors associated with exclusive use of latex-condom compatible lubricants (water-based lubricants) among men who have sex with men (MSM) using data from a large-scale cross-sectional survey conducted in 2009/10 in three Indian states. Using time-location cluster sampling, 3880 MSM were recruited from cruising sites. We used multiple logistic regression to assess the association between type of lubricants used and sociodemographic and programmatic indicators. Among those who reported using lubricants (64%) more than half (53%) exclusively used water-based lubricants, less than one-tenth used exclusively oil-based lubricants, and nearly 40% used both water-based and oil-based lubricants. Factors associated with exclusive use of water-based lubricants were exposure to HIV prevention interventions (AOR: 6.18, 95% CI 4.82 to 7.92) and kothi-identified MSM—feminine/anal-receptive (AOR: 2.56, 95% CI 2.12 to 3.10). Targeted HIV interventions among MSM need to promote and distribute latex condom-compatible lubricants for use during anal sex—irrespective of their presumed or stated sexual role in anal sex, and educate them not to use oil-based lubricants with condoms.

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Drug use and the influence on kissing among men who have sex with men in Melbourne, Australia

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462419878338 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 16-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eric PF Chow ◽

Jason J Ong ◽

Lenka A Vodstrcil ◽

Christopher K Fairley

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Drug Use ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Centre ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sex With Men

The use of drugs is not uncommon among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Kissing has been recently identified as a risk factor for gonorrhoea. This study aimed to examine the proportion of MSM who used drugs and how specific drugs influence the likelihood of kissing. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between March 2016 and February 2017. Participants reported their use of eleven specific drugs in the last three months and whether they felt the drug influenced them to kiss someone. Four thousand, three hundred and ninety-one MSM were included in the analysis; 63.1% ( n = 2772) used at least one drug in the last three months and 36.6% ( n = 1605) used ≥2 drugs. Poppers (44.8%), marijuana (30.8%) and ecstasy (19.1%) were the three most common drugs used among MSM in the last three months. 80.4% of ecstasy users and 74.3% of gammahydroxybutyrate users reported the drug made them much more likely to kiss someone. The majority of MSM reported that the use of heroin (63.6%) and Viagra/Cialis (60.7%) did not influence their kissing behaviour. Drug use is common among sexually active MSM in Melbourne. Most reported the use of ecstasy would increase their likelihood of kissing someone.

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