Relationship Factors Associated with Risky Sexual Behavior Among A Sample of Gay Male Couples in the Pacific Northwest

Gay men continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Recent trends indicate gay men are contracting HIV more often from their main sexual partners than from casual sexual partners. A growing body of research has emerged to better understand how relationship factors may contribute to why gay men are contracting HIV from their main sexual partners. More research on relationship dynamics and characteristics is needed, however, to explain what factors influence sexual risk-taking among gay male couples. The present study examined the association of certain relationship characteristics and dynamics with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and HIV risk among self-identified gay male couples. In this cross sectional study, dyadic data were collected through an anonymous electronic questionnaire from couples in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA to provide a convenience sample of 144 dyads. Men in each dyad completed the questionnaire independently but concurrently. Multilevel linear modeling (MLM) was used to determine which relationship factors were associated with UAI and HIV risk. Results from this study indicated men who were in a strictly monogamous relationship were less likely to have UAI with other sexual partners than men who were not in a strictly monogamous relationship; men who broke their sexual agreement with their main partner were more likely to have UAI with other sexual partners than those who did not break their sexual agreement. Other results, including factors associated with HIV risk, will be presented and implications for development of programs to prevent HIV transmission among gay male couples will be discussed.