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Factors Associated with Men in HIV-Negative Gay Couples Who Practiced UAI Within and Outside of Their Relationship

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Abstract

Despite recent advances in research with gay male couples, less data exists about men who have had UAI within and outside of their HIV-negative seroconcordant relationship. Multilevel modeling with dyadic data from 142 couples was used to identify the characteristics associated with men who have had UAI with both their main partner and a casual MSM partner within the same timeframe. Analyses revealed that men were more likely to have had UAI within and outside of their relationship if they perceived their main partner has had a recent HIV test. Men were less likely to have had UAI within and outside of their relationship if they valued their sexual agreement and reported having a sexual agreement that does not allow sex outside of their relationship. Research with a more diverse sample of couples is warranted. Future interventions must consider the complexity of relationships and sexual behaviors among gay male couples.

Resumen

A pesar de avances recientes en el estudio de parejas gay, existe poca data sobre hombres VIH-negativo en relaciones seroconcordantes que tienen sexo anal desprotegido dentro y fuera de sus relaciones pareja. Modelaje a multinivel con data diádica de 142 parejas fue utilizado para identificar las características asociadas con hombres que tienen sexo anal desprotegido en el mismo periodo con su pareja principal y con una pareja casual. El análisis reveló que los hombres eran más dados a tener sexo anal desprotegido dentro y fuera de la relación principal si ellos percibieron que su pareja principal se hizo una prueba de VIH recientemente. Los hombres fueron menos dado a tener sexo anal desprotegido dentro y fuera de su relación principal si ellos valoran su acuerdo sexual y reportaron tener un acuerdo sexual que no permite sexo fuera de la relación principal. Estudios con muestras más diversas es necesario. Intervenciones en el futuro deben considerar la complejidad de las relaciones de pareja y del comportamiento sexual en las parejas gay.

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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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Correspondence to Jason W. Mitchell.

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Mitchell, J.W., Petroll, A.E. Factors Associated with Men in HIV-Negative Gay Couples Who Practiced UAI Within and Outside of Their Relationship. AIDS Behav 17, 1329–1337 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0255-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0255-5

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