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177741 Trajectories of sexual behavior among aging MSM

Monday, October 27, 2008: 12:50 PM

Sin How Lim, MS , Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Ron Stall, PhD , Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA
Anthony Silvestre, PhD , Center for Research on Health and Sexual Orientation and Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA
Michael P. Marshal, PhD , Center for Research on Health and Sexual Orientation and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Audio (mp3) recording Multimedia recording
Background: Gay men over 50 are having sex and some are engaging in risky behavior and thus vulnerable for HIV infection. There is a lack of knowledge on how sexual behaviors change as gay men age. This study aims to analyze the trajectories of sexual behavior of aging MSM (men who have sex with men) and elucidate possible risk factors.

Methods: Using data from the Pittsburgh Men's Study, we examined the history of sexual behavior of MSM over 50 over the past 10 years. A semiparametric, group-based approach was used (Nagin et al, 2005).

Results: Three distinct groups of trajectories of any sexual activity in the last six months were found. Majority of the participants (Group 1, 63%) had a very high probability of sexual activity across all visits. Group 2 (about 22% of the sample) had fairly high probability (0.7) of sexual activity across all visits. Group 3 (15.6%) had 0.4 probability of sexual activity at the first visit which declined to near-zero probability of sexual activity at the last visit a decade later. Data will be presented on the relationships between frequency of sexual behaviors and drug and alcohol use, mental health and HIV status.

Conclusions: This study is the first to show that different trajectories of sexual activity exist among aging gay men. Our study demonstrated that most gay men maintained sexual activity as they aged but a smaller group has declining sexual activity over time which may be explained by their medical conditions

Learning Objectives:
To analyze the trajectories of sexual frequency as middle-aged and older gay men age over time and identify risk factors asscociated with such trajectories

Keywords: Aging, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: This is my doctoral thesis project. No commercial products will be produced from this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.

See more of: Gay and Bisexual Men's Health
See more of: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus of Public Health Workers