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HIV-Negative and HIV-Discordant Gay Male Couples’ Use of HIV Risk-Reduction Strategies: Differences by Partner Type and Couples’ HIV-Status

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Abstract

Previous research has found that gay men and other men who have sex with men have adopted a variety of HIV risk-reduction strategies to engage in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). However, whether gay male couples’ use these strategies within and out of their relationships remains unknown. The present national cross-sectional study collected dyadic data from an online sample of 275 HIV-negative and 58 discordant gay male couples to assess their use of these strategies, and whether their use of these strategies had differed by partner type and couples’ HIV-status. The sample used a variety of risk-reduction strategies for UAI. Some differences and patterns by partner type and couples’ HIV-status were detected about men’s use of these strategies. Findings indicate the need to bolster HIV prevention and education with gay male couples about their use of these strategies within and outside of their relationships.

Resumen

Investigaciones anteriores han encontrado que los hombres gay y otros hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) han adoptado una variedad de VIH estrategias de reducción de riesgos de tener relaciones sexuales anales sin protección (UAI). Sin embargo, si las parejas de hombres gay ‘utilizar estas estrategias dentro y fuera de sus relaciones sigue siendo desconocido. El presente transversal nacional estudio recopiló datos diádicos de una muestra en línea de 275 VIH negativos y 58 parejas discordantes homosexuales masculinos para evaluar el uso de estas estrategias, y si el uso de estas estrategias se había diferenciado por tipo de socio y “parejas VIH-estado. La muestra utilizada una variedad de estrategias de reducción de riesgos para la UAI. Algunas diferencias y patrones por tipo de socio y el estado de las parejas VIH fueron detectados sobre el uso de los hombres de estas estrategias. Los resultados indican la necesidad de reforzar la prevención del VIH y la educación con parejas de hombres gays sobre el uso de estas estrategias dentro y fuera de sus relaciones.

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Acknowledgments

This manuscript was supported by the center (P30-MH052776; PI J. Kelly) and NRSA (T32-MH19985; PI S. Pinkerton) grants from the National Institute of Mental Health.

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  1. Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Programs, University of Michigan School of Nursing, 400 N. Ingalls, Office 3343, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5482, USA

    Jason W. Mitchell

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Correspondence to Jason W. Mitchell.

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Mitchell, J.W. HIV-Negative and HIV-Discordant Gay Male Couples’ Use of HIV Risk-Reduction Strategies: Differences by Partner Type and Couples’ HIV-Status. AIDS Behav 17, 1557–1569 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0388-6

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