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  • O02.2 Syphilis and sexual geographies: mapping the sexual travels, networks, and knowledge of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in toronto, canada

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Sexual Behaviour in Men Who Have Sex with Men
O02.2 Syphilis and sexual geographies: mapping the sexual travels, networks, and knowledge of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in toronto, canada
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  1. Dionne Gesink1,
  2. James Connell2,
  3. Lauren Kimura1,
  4. Susan Wang1,
  5. Daniel Grace1,
  6. Adam Wynne1,
  7. Sharmistha Mishra3,
  8. Ann N Burchell3,
  9. Darrell HS Tan3,
  10. Travis Salway4,
  11. Jason Wong5,
  12. David Brennan6,
  13. Carmen Logie6,
  14. Mona Loutfy7,
  15. Mark Gilbert5
  1. 1Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
  2. 2School of Population And Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
  3. 3Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael
  4. 4University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
  5. 5British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada
  6. 6Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
  7. 7Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Canada

Abstract

Introduction A complex, persistent syphilis epidemic has affected gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) in major urban centres in North America for over a decade. Our objective was to explore the sexual travels, networks, and knowledge of gbMSM in Toronto.

Methods We conducted in-depth interviews between June and July 2016 with 31 gbMSM who were ≥18 years, actively seeking sexual partners, and living, working or socialising in downtown Toronto. We asked participants to map their egocentric sexual network, share their sexual partner-seeking strategies and knowledge of STIs. We analysed travel patterns between participants and their sexual partners, including in relation to the core area of elevated syphilis rates, and used interview transcripts to interpret and explore the context from which observed patterns emerged.

Results Four geosexual archetypes dominated the egocentric sexual network maps, namely, hosters, two types of travellers: house-callers and rovers, and geoflexibles. These archetypes were observed in both core and noncore areas. Hosters usually or always hosted sex at their residence, creating a centralised sex phenomenon. Travellers rarely or never had sex at their residence. House-callers usually or always had sex at the residence of their sex partners; rovers also had sex at venues and other public spaces. Travellers created a dispersed sex phenomenon and bridging core, peripheral, and distant areas. Geoflexibles had sex anywhere (i.e.,home, venues, partner residences, public spaces). Participants practiced 1–2 online or in-person partner seeking strategies with little regard for syphilis because of overwhelming concern for HIV, lack of awareness of the syphilis epidemic, and treatability of the syphilis.

Conclusion Geo-sexual patterns and travel between sexual partners suggest specific archetypes exist comprising the larger gbMSM sociocentric sexual network. Future research should better define and characterise these archetypes and explore how each may impact STI transmission and intervention.

https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2017-053264.7

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