Determinants of recent HIV infection among Seattle-area men who have sex with men.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to identify HIV-infection risk factors related to partner selection and sexual behaviors with those partners among men who have sex with men (MSM) in King County, Washington.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from HIV testing sites in the Seattle area. Recent HIV infection status was determined by the Serologic Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion (STARHS) or a self-reported previous HIV-negative test. Data on behaviors with 3 male partners were collected via computer-based self-interviews. Generalized estimating equation models identified partnership factors associated with recent infection.


RESULTS
We analyzed data from 32 HIV-positive MSM (58 partners) and 110 HIV-negative MSM (213 partners). In multivariate analysis, recent HIV infection was associated with meeting partners at bathhouses or sex clubs, bars or dance clubs, or online; methamphetamine use during unprotected anal intercourse; and unprotected anal intercourse, except with HIV-negative primary partners.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need to improve efforts to promote condom use with casual partners, regardless of their partner's HIV status. New strategies to control methamphetamine use in MSM and to reduce risk behaviors related to meeting partners at high-risk venues are needed.
Thiede
Hanne
H
Public Health-Seattle & King County, 400 Yesler Way, 3rd Floor, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. hanne.thiede@kingcounty.gov
Jenkins
Richard A
RA
Carey
James W
JW
Hutcheson
Rebecca
R
Thomas
Katherine K
KK
Stall
Ronald D
RD
White
Edward
E
Allen
Iris
I
Mejia
Roberto
R
Golden
Matthew R
MR
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology