Sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus-discordant partnerships among men who have sex with men.

Abstract

Sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) at 5 Seattle clinics were assessed for bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-discordant partnerships, sexual behavior, and drug use. Of the HIV-positive men, 45% reported having HIV-negative sex partners and 42% reported having sex partners with unknown serostatus during the past 2 months, whereas 14% and 57% of HIV-negative men reported having HIV-positive and unknown-serostatus sex partners, respectively. Correlates of sex partners with unknown serostatus were recruiting sex partners at bathhouses or parks. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis was diagnosed in 12% of HIV-positive and 13% of HIV-negative MSM, and the rates did not differ between men with HIV-concordant and HIV-discordant partnerships. High prevalences of bacterial STDs and HIV-discordant partnerships emphasize the need for interventions to foster serostatus discussion, condom use, fewer anonymous partners, and STD screening.

• Authors: William L H Whittington, Tarquin Collis, Dwyn Dithmer-Schreck, H Hunter Handsfield, Peter Shalit, Robert W Wood, King K Holmes, Connie L Celum
• Journal: Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Clin Infect Dis) Vol. 35 Issue 8 Pg. 1010-7 (Oct 15 2002) ISSN: 1537-6591 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 12355390 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• HIV (immunology, isolation & purification)
• HIV Infections (complications, psychology)
• Homosexuality
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prevalence
• Sexual Behavior
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (epidemiology, microbiology)