title: HIV-negative gay men's perceived HIV risk hierarchy: imaginary or real?
abstract: HIV-related risk perceptions and risk practices among gay men have changed over time. We revisited perceived HIV risk and engagement in anal intercourse with casual partners among HIV-negative gay men who participated in one of the Sydney Gay Community Periodic Surveys (GCPS). Perceived HIV risk was assessed by a range of anal intercourse practices combined with pre-specified casual partners' HIV status and viral load levels. Perceived HIV risk forms a potential hierarchy, broadly reflecting differences in the probability of HIV transmission through various anal intercourse practices. To a lesser extent, it also varies by casual partners' HIV status and viral load. Men who had unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners (UAIC) perceived lower HIV risk than those who used condoms consistently in the 6 months prior to survey. Recognising the complex associations between risk perceptions and risk practices helps to better address challenges arising from the 'Treatment as Prevention' (TasP).
authors: National Centre in HIV Social Research, The University of New South Wales, Room 307, Level 3 John Goodsell Building, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. limin.mao@unsw.edu.au
authors: Limin
authors: L
authors: Mao
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Adam
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Kippax
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Holt
authors: Garrett
authors: G
authors: Prestage
authors: Yves
authors: Y
authors: Calmette
authors: Iryna
authors: I
authors: Zablotska
authors: John
authors: J
authors: de Wit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006306:Health Surveys; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012306:Risk; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult