High-risk behaviors among men who have sex with men in 6 US cities: baseline data from the EXPLORE Study

Abstract

Objectives: We describe the prevalence of risk behaviors at baseline among men who have sex with men (MSM) who were enrolled in a randomized behavioral intervention trial conducted in 6 US cities.

Methods: Data analyses involved MSM who were negative for HIV antibodies and who reported having engaged in anal sex with 1 or more partners in the previous year.

Results: Among 4295 men, 48.0% and 54.9%, respectively, reported unprotected receptive and insertive anal sex in the previous 6 months. Unprotected sex was significantly more likely with 1 primary partner or multiple partners than with 1 nonprimary partner. Drug and alcohol use were significantly associated with unprotected anal sex.

Conclusions: Our findings support the continued need for effective intervention strategies for MSM that address relationship status, serostatus of partners, and drug and alcohol use.

FIGURE 1—

Percentages of men reporting sexual risk behaviors at baseline visit, by serostatus of partners and number of partners at baseline visit: EXPLORE, 1999–2001. Oral = unprotected receptive oral sex with ejaculation; URA = unprotected receptive anal sex; UIA = unprotected insertive anal sex. P values for 1 primary partner vs 1 non-primary partner < .02; P values for 1 primary partner vs >1 partners all non-significant except for oral with HIV-positive partners (P = .02); P values for 1 non-primary vs >1 partner <.0001.