AEGiS-15IAC: The bridge for HIV transmission to women from 15- to 29-year-old men who have sex with men in 7 US cities.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

The bridge for HIV transmission to women from 15- to 29-year-old men who have sex with men in 7 US cities.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. ThOrC1367)

Valleroy LA, MacKellar D, Behel S, Secura G
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) and also women are a bridge for HIV between MSM and women. In 2 samples of young MSM, we investigate the prevalence of sex with women, and the traits and risk behaviors of MSM who have sex with women.

METHODS: The Young Men's Survey (YMS) was a cross-sectional sample survey of young MSM sampled at public venues where MSM gather. YMS had 2 phases: Phase1 (1994-1998) saw 15- to 22-year-olds in 7 US cities; and, Phase2 (1998-2000) saw 23- to 29-year-olds in 6 of these cities. At venues, MSM were interviewed, tested for HIV, and counseled. In analyses, statistical significance was set at p<.05.

RESULTS: For the 3492 Phase1 and 2949 Phase2 MSM, respectively, in the 6 months before interview, 73% and 84% had sex only with men, 17% and 9% with both men and women, 3% and 2% only with women, and 7% and 5% with no one. For both phases, we found that compared with men who had sex only with men, MSM who also had sex with women: were significantly more likely to be younger, or black or mixed race; were significantly more likely in the past 6 months to have used syringes, been high on alcohol or other drugs during sex, or have had sex in exchange for things; were significantly less likely in the past 6 months to have had unprotected sex with men (although had similar numbers of male partners); and were just as likely to have HIV, or have had syphilis, hepatitis B, or other STDs. Of the MSM who had sex with both men and women in the past 6 months, 22% (Phase1) and 27% (Phase2) had unprotected sex with both men and women.

CONCLUSIONS: Among these MSM, having sex with women was prevalent. MSM who also had sex with women had similar levels of HIV/STDs and higher levels of many risk behaviors. We conclude that MSM who also have sex with women are a significant bridge for HIV to women, and need to be reached with HIV prevention efforts, including messages about safe sex with both women and men.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Unsafe Sex, Risk-Taking, Coitus, HIV Infections, Prevalence, Safe Sex, HIV Seroprevalence, Cross-Sectional Studies, Cities, Syphilis, Humans, Female, Male, transmission

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