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Abstract #152607

Karen C. McCready, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), New York University, 726 Broadway, Suite 525, New York, NY 10003, (212) 998-5782, kcm274@nyu.edu and Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, Director, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), New York University, 82 Washington Square East, Pless Building 553, New York, NY 10003.

Background: The use of crystal methamphetamine has been found to be highly associated with sexual risk taking among MSM. Sexual behavior while under the influence may be more likely to take place in contexts that do not facilitate HIV serostatus disclosure, therefore, understanding the assumptions that men make about the serostatus of their partners and how these assumptions guide sexual decision making are critical to developing effective HIV prevention messages. Methods: This qualitative study used thematic analysis to examine the transcripts of 20 semi-structured interviews with HIV-positive methamphetamine-using MSM. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using QSR NUD*IST qualitative analysis software using the most recent sexual encounter under the influence of methamphetamine as a critical incident measure. Results: Of the 20 men included in this analysis, 9 reported making assumptions about the serostatus of their sexual partner(s). These assumptions can be grouped thematically into three categories: behavioral characteristics, such as willingness to engage in high risk behavior and substance use, location or contextual characteristics, and health characteristics. Conclusions: Most HIV-positive methamphetamine-using MSM who reported making assumptions based these assumptions on behavioral characteristics. However, assumptions about seropositivity do not necessarily lead to safer sex behaviors and frequently are the basis for discarding with condom use, which may leave men vulnerable to HIV transmission, STIs, and HIV re-infection. Knowledge of assumption making and its impact on sexual behavior is critical in order to design effective intervention programs that give MSM the skills to engage in sexual communication and safer sex negotiation.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the assumptions that HIV-positive methamphetamine-using MSM make about the serostatus of their sexual partners.
• Identify the role that casual/anonymous sex and commercial sex environments (CSEs) play in the assumption-making process.
• Develop HIV and STD interventions that address the impact of assumption-making on sexual risk behavior and provide MSM with the skills to better engage in sexual communication and safer sex negotiation, particularly in public sex contexts.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Gay Men

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.