Recorded presentation

Matt G. Mutchler, PhD¹, Miguel Chion, MD, MPH², Leo Colemon, MA¹, and Mark A. Schuster, MD, PhD³. (1) Education, AIDS Project Los Angeles: The David Geffen Center, 611 S. Kingsley Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90005, 213.201.1522, mmutchler@apla.org, (2) Education, AIDS Project Los Angeles, 611 S. Kingsley Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90005, (3) Department of Pediatrics, UCLA, Box 951752, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752

Background: Increasingly, HIV prevention efforts are targeting persons living with HIV (PLWH). HIV+ men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) are often grouped with gay men and overlooked. As a result, little is known about their sexual risk behaviors particularly with their female partners. Methods: This study recruited a convenience sample of HIV+ MSMW at organizations serving PLWH. Participants completed a cross-sectional survey in face-to-face interviews lasting 1-2 hours in 2003. Results: Preliminary analyses of the available data (N=88) were conducted using independent samples t-tests. Domains include sexual risk and disclosure behaviors, substance use, mental health, and sexual communication. 55.7% of respondents were African American, 19.3% white, and 25% Latino. 62.8% identified as bisexual, 27.9% gay, and 9.3% heterosexual. Participants were more likely to report unprotected intercourse with male primary partners (MPPs) compared to female primary partners (FPPs) (51%, 29% P<.05). HIV+ MSMW were more likely to discuss condoms, but less likely to discuss having sex with individuals outside of the primary relationship with their FPPs compared to their male primary partners MPPs (P<.05). Respondents were less likely to tell their FPPs that they had sex with men and women (P<.05). Conclusion: HIV+ MSMW report sexual behaviors that may transmit HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases to their FPPs and MPPs. However, their disclosure, communication and behavioral patterns differ significantly depending on the gender of their primary partners. HIV prevention interventions for HIV+ MSMW tailored to partner variables such as gender and partner status are needed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Articulate how HIV positive men who have sex with men and women communicate about safer sex issues differently with male versus female sexual partners.
• Describe the sexual risk behaviors reported by HIV positive men who have sex with men and women.
• Apply a better understanding of the HIV risk behaviors reported by HIV positive men who have sex with men and women in their HIV intervention programs.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, HIV Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: AIDS Project Los Angeles
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employee

Recorded presentation