Abstract
BackgroundIn 2006, the majority of new HIV infections were in MSM. We sought to describe numbers of casual sex partners among US MSM.MethodsData are from the first MSM cycle of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system, conducted from 2003 to 2005. Relationships between number of casual male sex partners within the previous year and demographic information, self-reported HIV status, and risk behaviors were determined through regression models.ResultsAmong 11,191 sexually active MSM, 76% reported a casual male partner. The median casual partner number was three. Lower number of casual partners was associated with black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and having a main sex partner in the previous year. Factors associated with a higher number included gay identity, exchange sex, both injection and non-injection drug use. Being HIV-positive was associated with more partners among non-blacks only. Age differences in partner number were seen only among chat room users.ConclusionsMSM who were black, Hispanic or had a main sex partner reported fewer casual sex partners. Our results suggest specific populations of MSM who may benefit most from interventions to reduce casual partner numbers.
Highlights
In 2006, the majority of new HIV infections were in Men who have sex with men (MSM)
One is that black MSM tend to be less aware of their true serostatus, and self-reported HIV status may appear to have a weaker relationship with casual partner number because of misclassification
Young men ages 18 to 24 years tended to have fewer casual male partners overall, we found that it was important to interpret this observation in the context of chat room use
Summary
In 2006, the majority of new HIV infections were in MSM. We sought to describe numbers of casual sex partners among US MSM. In the United States, MSM of color, especially younger MSM, are affected in terms of new HIV infections in recent years [3]. Classical HIV risk factors were considered as well as each of four pre-specified interactions that, based on preliminary analyses, expert opinion, and available literature, may play an important role in understanding casual partner count. These were interactions between race/ethnicity and HIV status [10], age and HIV status [11], age and chat room usage [12], and sexual identity and having female partners [13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
