AEGiS-14IAC: Changing patterns of homosexual partnership in Britain: Evidence from the 1990 and 2000 National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal).

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Changing patterns of homosexual partnership in Britain: Evidence from the 1990 and 2000 National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal).

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no.. TuOrC1145)

Mercer CH, Johnson AM, Fenton KA, Wellings K, Erens B
Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: Male homosexual sex accounts for a high proportion of HIV infection acquired in Britain. Studies in convenience samples of gay men indicate increased risk behaviour in Britain. We examine evidence for changes in prevalence of homosexual risk behaviour in comparable probability surveys in Britain in 1990 and 2000 (Natsal 1990 and 2000)

METHODS: Probability sample survey of 4762 men aged 16-44 resident in Britain in 2000 and 6000 in 1990. Data collected by face-to face and self-completion questionnaire with computer assisted interviews in 2000. Outcomes from both surveys: Prevalence of reported male homosexual contact; age at first homosexual experience; numbers of homosexual partners; prevalence of anal intercourse and condom use.

RESULTS: 5.4% (95% CI 4.8-6.1) of men in 2000 reported homosexual partners ever compared with 3.6% (95%CI 3.1-4.2) in 1990. Median age at first homosexual experience was 15 years in 2000, 14 years in 1990. Among those with 1+ homosexual partners in last 5 years, 41.6% (95% CI 34.3-49.3) had 5+ partners in 2000, 31.3% (95% CI 22.9-41.1) 1990. Anal intercourse in last year increased from 47.5% to 64.4%

CONCLUSIONS: Our population-based findings indicate a higher proportion of men reporting homosexual experience than 10 years ago. Among these men, more report multiple partners and anal intercourse though age at first homosexual experience has risen. Findings of increased HIV risk behaviour are consistent with data from convenience samples of gay men. Findings may however partly reflect increased willingness to report censured behaviours.

Keywords: AEGIS, Homosexuality, Homosexuality, Male, Risk-Taking, Life Style, Prevalence, Data Collection, Sexual Partners, HIV Infections, Safe Sex, Attitude, Questionnaires, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Interviews, HIV Seropositivity, Human, MaleKWDaegis,homosexuality,homosexuality,male,risk-taking,lifestyle,prevalence,datacollection,sexualpartners,hivinfections,safesex,attitude,questionnaires,healthknowledge,attitudes,practice,interviews,hivseropositivity,human,male

020707
TuOrC1145

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.