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Sexual Satisfaction Among Men Living with HIV in Europe

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This study determined risk factors for decreased sexual satisfaction among men living with HIV (MLHIV). Self-administered questionnaires were distributed consecutively to all MLHIV attending 17 European HIV treatment centres. The sample included 1,017 MLHIV, among whom 79.2% self-identified as homosexual or bisexual. Sexual satisfaction was measured for five domains of sexual functioning and 33.2% reported low satisfaction in at least one domain. Decreased sexual satisfaction was associated with psychosocial factors, i.e. depression (OR 2.77, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR 1.77, P < 0.001), stress (OR 2.27, P < 0.001) and social factors, such as low partner support (OR 2.28, P < 0.001) and experiences of HIV related discrimination (OR 1.69, P < 0.001). Discussing satisfaction with sexuality should be integrated in regular HIV care, considering patients’ personal and relationship-related resources next to medical treatment if indicated.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all study participants for contributing to this study and to the investigators at the participating centers: Birgit Mumelter (University of Innsbruck), Gabriele Schmied (European Centre, Vienna); Ruth Borms (Sensoa, Antwerp); Ivo Prochazka (University of Prague); Johannes Bogner, Matthias Müller (Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich), Werner Becker, Ramona Volkert (Private Practice, Munich), Andreas Niedermeier (University Clinic for Dermatology, Munich), Martin Karwat (Private Practice, Munich); Nikos Dedes (Synthesis, Athens); Peter Csépe (Semmelweis University, Budapest); Gloriana Bartoli, Carlo Giaquinto (University of Padua, Padua); Caterina Uberti-Foppa, Giulia Galotta (HSR Ospedale, Milan); Anda Vaisla (Latvian Family Planning Association, Riga); Michal Pozdal, Zbigniew Izdebski (University of Zielona Góra); Luis Caldeira (Hospital Santa Maria, Lisbon); Victoria Gordillo (University Complutense of Madrid); Ed Wilkins, Cinthia Murphy (Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Manchester). Our thanks also go to the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss HIV Cohort Study for funding, support and co-operation. EUROSUPPORT V received funding from the European Commission, SANCO/Public Health, grant agreement nr. 2004314.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HIV AIDS Center, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium

    I. De Ryck, D. Van Laeken, C. Nöstlinger, T. Platteau & R. Colebunders

  2. Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    R. Colebunders

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  1. I. De Ryck
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  2. D. Van Laeken
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  3. C. Nöstlinger
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  4. T. Platteau
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  5. R. Colebunders
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The Eurosupport Study Group

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Correspondence to I. De Ryck or R. Colebunders.

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De Ryck I is first author with Van Laeken D as equal first author with equal contribution.

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De Ryck, I., Van Laeken, D., Nöstlinger, C. et al. Sexual Satisfaction Among Men Living with HIV in Europe. AIDS Behav 16, 225–230 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9987-x

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