Martindale SL, Strathdee SA, Hogg RS, Craib KJ, Pitchford W, Montaner JS, O'Shaughnessy MV, Schechter MT; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 42 (abstract no. We.C.563).
BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Fax: (604)631-5464. E-mail: stevem@hivnet.ubc.ca.
Objective: To describe sexual behaviour substance use and HIV prevalence at baseline among a prospective cohort of young men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Greater Vancouver Region British Columbia Canada. Methods: Eligible subjects are MSM aged 18 to 30 who have not previously tested positive for HIV. Subjects are recruited via publicity community outreach physicians and medical clinics. On an annual basis participants are tested for HIV antibodies and complete self-administered questionnaires. Data collected include demographics social support depression substance use sexual activity with men and women paid sex and non-consensual sex. Results: As of 12/31/95 a total of 497 eligible subjects had been recruited. Current HIV test results and completed questionnaires were available for 194 participants. Mean age was 25.6. Ethnic diversity: 82% Caucasian 10% Asian/South Asian 5% Aboriginal and 1.5% Latino. Most participants (72%) were single; 28% were same-sex common-law relationships. The majority (93%) reported currently having sex only with men and 4% with both sexes. Mean numbers of male sex partners: 12 in previous year (range: 1-120); and 56 in lifetime (range: 1-400). Most (88%) reported at least one casual male sex partner (less than once/month) within previous year (mean: 15). Of these 14% reported having unprotected insertive anal sex without ejaculation (10% with); and 12% reported having unprotected receptive anal sex without ejaculation (6% with). Of the 155 men with regular male sex partners (greater than or equal to once/month) in the previous year 30% reported unprotected insertive anal sex without ejaculation (19% with); and 37% reported unprotected receptive anal sex without ejaculation (25% with). One-sixth had received money goods or drugs in exchange for sex; half of them had done so within the previous year. Nearly a third reported having been forced to have sex at some point in their lives of whom 38% were under the age of 12 at the time. Those reporting non-consensual sex in childhood or adolescence were much more likely to have been paid for sex (39% vs 11% p=0.001). Drug use in previous year included poppers (32% of participants) cocaine (26%) and heroin (2%). Only 1% had injected drugs. Baseline HIV prevalence was 1% (2/194 reactive and 2 indeterminate). Conclusions: A sizable proportion of young MSM in Vancouver are having unprotected sex especially with their regular partners. Our preliminary data may underestimate the scope of these behaviours as they likely represent men at lower risk in the spectrum. Sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence is clearly associated with subsequent sex trade activity; the relationship between sexual abuse and risk behaviours warrants further attention.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- British Columbia
- Canada
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Prevalence
- Questionnaires
- Risk-Taking
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
- Substance Abuse, Intravenous
Other ID:
UI: 102219192
From Meeting Abstracts