title: The Meaning of 'Regular Partner' in HIV Research Among Gay and Bisexual Men: Implications of an Australian Cross-Sectional Survey.
abstract: Estimates of the proportion of HIV infections coming from within regular sexual relationships among gay and bisexual men (GBM) vary widely. Research surveys use various partner type categories, but there is little understanding of how men classify their partners. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of Australian GBM exploring sexual relationships, including 2057 men reporting on 2566 regular partnerships. Just over half of the partnerships were considered 'relationships', while the remainder were non-romantic 'fuckbuddy'-style arrangements. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with considering the partnership a 'relationship' were: using a 'romantic' descriptor, partnership length, monogamous agreements, any condomless anal sex with each other, love, and commitment. The category of 'regular partner' can mask diverse partnership types, which have different meanings to GBM, associated behaviours, and HIV risks. Certain HIV prevention techniques may be more suited to particular types of partnerships. 'Fuckbuddy' arrangements need to be more explicitly acknowledged in HIV prevention.
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia. bbavinton@kirby.unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Benjamin R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Bavinton
authors.affiliation: University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
authors.forename: Duane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, England, UK.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grierson
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Iryna B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Zablotska
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Down
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Grulich
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.|Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Garrett P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Prestage
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; HIV prevention; Men who have sex with men; Regular partner; Relationships