Risk behaviours in HIV-positive men who have sex with men participating in an intervention in a primary care setting

Abstract

Men who have sex with men receiving HIV care reported their sexual behaviours and their intentions, classified according to the Transtheoretical Model of Change, to modify the following behaviours: (1) condom use by partner type and activity type; (2) reduction of partner number; and (3) disclosure of HIV serostatus to partners. Most participants were white (68.8%) or black (29.5%) and were more likely to report unprotected sex with HIV-positive than with serodiscordant partners for most activities. Whites reported more partners than black patients (mean 4.1 versus 2; P < 0.0001) and black participants reported fewer HIV-negative ( P = 0.0084) and -unknown status partners ( P = 0.00095) than whites. Cocaine/crack use was associated with more sexual partners ( P = 0.001) and more frequent unprotected sex with HIV-negative or -unknown status partners ( P = 0.036). Readiness to change risk behaviour varied by partner status and type of sexual activity. Understanding patients' risks and their readiness to change behaviours may help providers to promote sexual health.