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11th Annual Conference Of The British HIV Association [BHIVA]20–23 April 2005, Burlington Hotel·Dublin·Ireland |
[AUTHOR(S):] J Elford, G Bolding, M Davis, L Sherr1, G Hart2
1City University London, 2Royal Free and University College Medical School London, 3MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Glasgow, UK
BHIVA Conf 2005 Apr 20-23;11:O14
AIM: To examine changes in sexual behaviour among London gay men between 1998–2004.
METHODS: Nearly 5000 gay men using gyms in central London were surveyed annually between 1998-2004 (range 498–834 per year, response rate 50–60%). Information was collected on HIV status and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the previous 3 months. High risk sexual behaviour was defined as UAI with a casual partner of unknown or discordant HIV status.
RESULTS: Of the 4934 men, 774 (15.7%) were HIV positive, 3099 (62.8%) were HIV negative, 1061 (21.5%) had never been tested for HIV. Median age was 35 years. Between 1998–2001 the overall percentage of men reporting high risk sexual behaviour with a casual partner increased from 6.7% to 15.2% (P<0.001). Between 2001–2004, however, the percentage of men reporting high risk sexual behaviour with a casual partner remained stable (annual figures, 15.2%, 15.5%, 16.1%, 14.7%, P=0.8). A similar pattern was seen for HIV positive, negative and never-tested men when examined separately.
CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of London gay men reporting high risk sexual behaviour with a casual partner has remained stable since 2001, although it increased significantly between 1998–2001. Addressing this elevated level of risk will present a challenge for sexual health promotion.
PRESENTING AUTHOR: J Elford
2005-04-20
O14
Copyright © 2005 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD