Gay and bisexual men's sexual partnerships and variations in risk behaviour

Abstract

In epidemiological studies that focus on gay men's sexual risk behaviour the context in which it occurs is often ignored. Increasingly, knowledge of the type and nature of the partnerships is seen to be important when assessing sexual risk behaviour. For this study, gay and bisexual men were recruited through community groups, gay bars and bathhouses to complete a questionnaire on sexual practices with primary and casual same-sex partners. Partnerships were grouped as primary (162%, n = 110), casual (40.0%, n = 187) and both primary and casual (162% n = 76). In these configurations 40.0%, 13.3% and 31.4% respectively reported at least one episode of unprotected sex in the previous three months. In the subgroup of men with both primary and casual partners a number varied their behaviour significantly with partner type. Most important, the pattern was for men to refrain from risky activities with their casual partners. However, for some men a reverse pattern of risk was reported. These findings emphasize that, for HIV education and prevention, there is a need to address the diversity of mens' relationships, to recognize the diversity of behaviour within relationships and to open discussion about the factors that influence condom use.