Sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus-discordant partnerships among men who have sex with men.
Sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) at 5 Seattle clinics were assessed for bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-discordant partnerships, sexual behavior, and drug use. Of the HIV-positive men, 45% reported having HIV-negative sex partners and 42% reported having sex partners with unknown serostatus during the past 2 months, whereas 14% and 57% of HIV-negative men reported having HIV-positive and unknown-serostatus sex partners, respectively. Correlates of sex partners with unknown serostatus were recruiting sex partners at bathhouses or parks. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis was diagnosed in 12% of HIV-positive and 13% of HIV-negative MSM, and the rates did not differ between men with HIV-concordant and HIV-discordant partnerships. High prevalences of bacterial STDs and HIV-discordant partnerships emphasize the need for interventions to foster serostatus discussion, condom use, fewer anonymous partners, and STD screening.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology