Do rates of unprotected anal intercourse among HIV-positive MSM present a risk for hepatitis C transmission?

Sex Transm Infect. 2011 Aug;87(5):439-41. doi: 10.1136/sti.2010.048223. Epub 2011 Jun 8.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the rates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in HIV-seropositive sexual relationships with that among men in HIV-seronegative and serodiscordant relationships in the context of an emerging hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic among HIV-positive MSM.

Methods: Time-location sampling was used to obtain a cross-sectional sample of MSM who attended public venues in San Francisco between November 2007 and October 2008 (N = 1199). Behavioural measures of sexual risk-taking at the level of the sexual dyad were administered to the sample.

Results: Men in HIV-positive/positive sexual relationships are significantly more likely to have UAI and combine sex and drugs than men in negative/negative sexual relationships.

Conclusions: If it is possible to spread HCV infection between HIV-positive men via UAI, very high levels of behavioural risk among positive MSM should exist to facilitate HCV transmission. Identifying the precise behavioural risk factors for HCV among HIV-positive MSM has become an important public health priority.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • HIV Seronegativity*
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology
  • HIV Seropositivity / psychology*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C / transmission*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • San Francisco / epidemiology
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Unsafe Sex / psychology
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult