Men who have sex with men: a comparison of a probability sample survey and a community based study
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Mortimer Market Centre, Mortimer Market, off Capper Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK
- Correspondence to: Julie Dodds Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Mortimer Market Centre, Mortimer Market, off Capper Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK; jdodds{at}gum.ucl.ac.uk
- Accepted 19 April 2005
Abstract
We compared characteristics of men who have sex with men (MSM) in a probability sample survey with a community based study in London. The majority of men in both surveys reported male sex partner(s) in the last year but MSM recruited through the population based survey had lower levels of HIV risk behaviour, reported fewer sexually transmitted infections and HIV testing than those recruited from gay venues. Community samples are likely to overestimate levels of risk behaviour among all MSM.
- GMSHS, Gay Men’s Sexual Health Survey
- GUM, genitourinary medicine
- MSM, men who have sex with men
- Natsal, National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles 2000
- STI, sexually transmitted infections
- UAI, unprotected anal intercourse
