HIV treatments optimism and sexual behaviour among gay men in Sydney and Melbourne.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate associations between gay men's optimism and sexual behaviour in the context of new HIV treatments.


METHODS
Cross-sectional surveys (using anonymous, self-completed questionnaires) were conducted in Sydney during February 1998 (n = 2200) and in Melbourne during January 1998 (n = 1891). Gay men were recruited at social and sex-on-premises venues, clinics and fair days/carnivals.


RESULTS
In a multivariate analysis, unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners (UAIC) was associated with being recruited at a sex-on-premises venue (rather than a clinic or fair day/carnival), HIV positivity, having been tested for HIV less than 6 months ago (rather than over 2 years ago or never having been tested), and not having a regular partner. Over and above these factors, UAIC was associated with agreement with the statements 'An HIV-positive person who is on combination therapy is unlikely to transmit HIV' and 'I'm less worried about HIV infection than I used to be'.


CONCLUSIONS
The data reveal a significant relationship between UAIC and certain aspects of optimism in the context of new HIV treatments. Whereas the direction of causality cannot be specified, there is a clear need for HIV and sexual health education programmes to clarify issues of viral load, new and drug resistant strains of HIV, and other infectious agents.
Van de Ven
P
P
National Centre in HIV Social Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Kippax
S
S
Knox
S
S
Prestage
G
G
Crawford
J
J
D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019562:Viral Load