Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify predictors of intentional use of the HIV risk reduction practices of serosorting, strategic
positioning, and withdrawal before ejaculation during unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with casual partners. A cross-sectional
survey pertaining to the Swiss HIV behavioral surveillance system, using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, was
conducted in 2007 in a self-selected sample of men having sex with other men (MSM). Analysis was restricted to participants
with UAI with casual partner(s) (N = 410). Logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with intentional use of serosorting, strategic positioning,
and withdrawal before ejaculation. In the previous 12 months, 71% of participants reported having UAI with a casual partner
of different or unknown HIV-status. Of these, 47% reported practicing withdrawal, 38% serosorting, and 25% strategic positioning.
In the 319 participants with known HIV-status, serosorting was associated with frequent Internet use to find partners (OR = 2.32),
STI (OR = 2.07), and HIV testing in the past 12 months (OR = 1.81). Strategic positioning was associated with HIV-status (OR = 0.13)
and having UAI with a partner of different or unknown HIV-status (OR = 3.57). Withdrawal was more frequently practiced by
HIV-negative participants or participants reporting high numbers of sexual partners (OR = 2.48) and having UAI with a partner
of unknown or different serostatus (OR = 2.08). Risk reduction practices are widely used by MSM, each practice having its
own specificities. Further research is needed to determine the contextual factors surrounding harm reduction practices, particularly
the strategic or opportunistic nature of their use.
positioning, and withdrawal before ejaculation during unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with casual partners. A cross-sectional
survey pertaining to the Swiss HIV behavioral surveillance system, using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, was
conducted in 2007 in a self-selected sample of men having sex with other men (MSM). Analysis was restricted to participants
with UAI with casual partner(s) (N = 410). Logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with intentional use of serosorting, strategic positioning,
and withdrawal before ejaculation. In the previous 12 months, 71% of participants reported having UAI with a casual partner
of different or unknown HIV-status. Of these, 47% reported practicing withdrawal, 38% serosorting, and 25% strategic positioning.
In the 319 participants with known HIV-status, serosorting was associated with frequent Internet use to find partners (OR = 2.32),
STI (OR = 2.07), and HIV testing in the past 12 months (OR = 1.81). Strategic positioning was associated with HIV-status (OR = 0.13)
and having UAI with a partner of different or unknown HIV-status (OR = 3.57). Withdrawal was more frequently practiced by
HIV-negative participants or participants reporting high numbers of sexual partners (OR = 2.48) and having UAI with a partner
of unknown or different serostatus (OR = 2.08). Risk reduction practices are widely used by MSM, each practice having its
own specificities. Further research is needed to determine the contextual factors surrounding harm reduction practices, particularly
the strategic or opportunistic nature of their use.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-011-9868-4
- Authors
- Françoise Dubois-Arber, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Bugnon 17, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- André Jeannin, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Bugnon 17, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Stéphanie Lociciro, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Bugnon 17, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Hugues Balthasar, Commission externe d’évaluation des politiques publiques, Etat de Genève, Genève, Switzerland
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002