Beyond Anal Sex: Sexual Practices of Men Who have Sex with Men and Associations with HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections

Abstract

Introduction: Unprotected anal intercourse is often used as a single indicator of risky behavior in men who have sex with men (MSM), yet MSM engage in a variety of behaviors that have unknown associations with sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of a wide range of sexual behaviors and their associations with prevalent STI and HIV.

Methods: We used a standardized, self-administered survey to collect behavioral data for this cross-sectional study of 235 MSM seeking care in a public clinic for sexually transmitted diseases.

Mean outcome measures: Using modified Poisson regression, we generated unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) to characterize associations between recent participation in each behavior and prevalent STI and HIV.

Results: Participants' median age was 26 years. One third (35%) were positive for STI. STI prevalence was significantly associated with using sex slings (adjusted PR [aPR] = 2.35), felching (aPR = 2.22), group sex (aPR = 1.86), fisting (aPR = 1.78), anonymous sex (aPR = 1.51), and sex toys (aPR = 1.46). HIV prevalence was 17% and was significantly associated with fisting (aPR = 4.75), felching (aPR = 4.22), enemas (aPR = 3.65), and group sex (aPR = 1.92).

Conclusion: Multiple behaviors were significantly associated with prevalent STI and HIV in adjusted analyses. To provide a more comprehensive understanding of sexual risk in MSM, prospective studies are needed to examine whether these behaviors are causally associated with HIV and STI acquisition.

Keywords: Chlamydia; Gonorrhea; HIV; Homosexuality; Male; Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM); Sexual Behavior; Sexual Health; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Syphilis.