High Prevalence of Sexual Concurrency and Concurrent Unprotected Anal Intercourse Across Racial/Ethnic Groups Among a National, Web-Based Study of Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States

• Authors: Eli S Rosenberg, Emory University; Christine M. Khosropour, University of Washington; Patrick S Sullivan, Emory University
• Journal Title: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Volume: Volume 39, Number 10
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins | 2012-10, Pages 741-746
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31825ec09b
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies
• Keywords: Concurrency; MSM; sexual networks; UAI; racial disparities

Abstract

Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are the largest HIV risk-group in the United States. Sexual concurrency may contribute to high HIV incidence, or to racial/ethnic HIV disparities among MSM. Limited information is available on concurrency and racial/ethnic differences among MSM, or on the extent to which MSM engage in concurrent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Methods Data are from baseline responses in a prospective online study of MSM aged ≥ 18 years, having ≥ 1 male sex partner in the past 12 months, and recruited from social networking websites. Pair-wise sexual concurrency and UAI in the previous 6 months among up to 5 recent partners was measured, using an interactive questionnaire. Period prevalences of concurrency and concurrent UAI were computed and compared across racial/ethnic groups at the individual and triad (a respondent and 2 sex partners) levels. Results 2,940 MSM reported on 8,911 partnerships; 45% indicated concurrent partnerships and 16% indicated concurrent UAI in the previous 6 months. Respondents were more likely to have UAI with two partners when they were concurrent, compared to serially monogamous (OR [95% CI] = 1.93 [1.75, 2.14]). No significant differences in levels of individual concurrency or concurrency among triads were found between non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic men. Conclusions Concurrency and concurrent UAI in the previous 6 months was common. Although there were no differences by race/ethnicity, the high levels of concurrency and concurrent UAI may be catalyzing the transmission of HIV among MSM in general.