title: Sexual health risks, service use, and views of rapid point-of-care testing among men who have sex with men attending saunas: a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: Guidelines highlight the need to increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) and novel point-of-care testing provides new possibilities for delivery of care. However, it is unclear how point-of-care testing should be used to best effect. This study aimed to increase understanding of sexual risk-taking behaviour, service use, and attitudes to point-of-care testing among MSM sauna clients. Data were collected within two saunas for MSM in south west England using a self-completion survey (n = 134). Though this sample of MSM sauna clients are at high risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection, the testing frequency among the majority of those reporting unprotected anal intercourse is not in keeping with national guidelines. For almost all participants the introduction of rapid point-of-care testing for both genital and blood-borne infection was likely to increase testing and for the majority NHS specialist services was the preferred setting.
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horwood
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ingle
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woodman-Bailey
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK Bristol Sexual Health Service, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Paddy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Horner
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK Bristol Sexual Health Service, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK nikki.jeal@bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jeal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000067716:Point-of-Care Testing; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D029002:Steam Bath / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: AIDS; HIV; MSM; men who have sex with men; point of care testing; sauna; sexual behaviour; sexual health; sexually transmitted infection; testing