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Poster Presentations
PS02 – POSTER VIEWING SESSION – TUESDAY
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM
P547 Relationship length of gay male couples and sexually transmitted infections
Free
  1. Luz Qquellon1,
  2. Silver Vargas2,
  3. Gino Calvo3,
  4. David Diaz3,
  5. Javier Navarro3,
  6. Elizabeth Lugo3,
  7. Michael Reyes-Díaz3,
  8. Kelika Konda3
  1. 1Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Sexual Health Laboratory, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS and Society, Lima, Peru
  2. 2Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Laboratory of Sexual Health, Lima, Peru
  3. 3Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS and Society, Lima, Peru

Abstract

Background Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are preventable, treatable, and have been increasing among men who have sex with men due to limited STIs/HIV screening and high-risk sexual behaviors, including partner concurrency and condomless anal sex. Within stable relationships, sexual behavior patterns may change over time. This analysis was conducted to estimate if relationship length is associated with STIs prevalence among gay men couples.

Methods Gay men who reported having a primary relationship answered a survey and were tested for bacterial STIs (syphilis, chlamydia or gonorrhea) during 2015 in Lima, Peru. Among couples, discordant STI status (only one partner had an STI) and concordant status (both partners had the STI) were compared by STI. Generalized linear models, controlling for correlation between couple members, were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs).

Results Overall, 254 individuals were included (98 couples and 58 one partner only). Median age was 26 years (IQR: 22–30), 62 individuals (24.4%) reported sex outside their relationship and 76 (29.9%) were diagnosed with at least one bacterial STI. Regarding relationship length, 86 (33.9%) had been in their current relationship <6 months, 86 (33.9%) between 6–18 months, and 78 (30.7%) for 18+ months. Among the 98 couples, more couples had discordant STI status than concordant status for syphilis (12.8% vs 4.3%, p=0.001), chlamydia (25.0% vs 7.6%, p<0.001) and gonorrhea (20.7% vs 2.2%, p<0.001). Having a relationship for 18+ months was negatively associated with STI prevalence (aPR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.30–0.98) after adjusting for age, HIV status, use of condom, and anal intercourse outside primary relationship.

Conclusion Our data suggest STIs prevalence is lower among gay men in longer term relationships. Future studies on gay male couples should consider the effect of relationship length on sexual behavior patterns to implement interventions for reducing STIs occurrence based on findings in a gay couple context.

Disclosure No significant relationships.

  • gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men
  • sexual behaviour

https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2019-sti.622

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