Sexual risk behavior and viremia among men who have sex with men in the HIV Outpatient Study, United States, 2007-2010

Abstract

Background: Recent US data on unsafe sexual behaviors among viremic HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) are limited.

Method: Using data abstracted from medical records of the participants in the HIV Outpatient Study (HOPS) and a supplemental behavioral survey, we assessed the frequency of high-risk sexual practices among HIV-infected MSM in care and examined the factors associated with risky sexual practices. We also compared the frequency of unprotected anal sex (UAS) with HIV-negative or unknown serostatus partners among viremic (HIV viral load ≥400 copies per milliliter) vs virologically suppressed (HIV viral load <400 copies per milliliter) MSM.

Results: Among 902 HIV-infected MSM surveyed, 704 (78%) reported having sex in the past 6 months, of whom 54% reported UAS (37% insertive, 42% receptive) and 40% UAS with a male partner who was HIV-negative or of unknown serostatus (24% insertive, 31% receptive). In multivariable regression with an outcome of engaging in any UAS with a male partner who was HIV-negative or of unknown serostatus, MSM aged <50 years, who reported injection drug use risk, had ≥2 sex partners, and who disclosed their HIV status to some but not to all of their sex partners were more likely to report this practice. Among MSM who reported any UAS, 15% were viremic; frequency of the UAS did not differ between viremic and virologically suppressed MSM.

Conclusions: The high frequency of UAS with HIV-negative or unknown-status partners among HIV-infected MSM in care suggests the need for targeted prevention strategies for this population.

FIGURE 1.

Stratification of eligible TACASI participants in the current analysis HOPS, United States, 2007–2010. MSM, men who have sex with men; TACASI, telephone audio computer assisted self-interview; UIA, unprotected insertive anal sex; UPS, unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sex.

FIGURE 2.

Frequency of unprotected sex in the past 6 months among sexually active HIV-positive MSM TACASI participants by partner serostatus, HOPS, United States, 2007–2010 (N = 704).