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Stable Sexual Risk Behavior in a Rapidly Changing Risk Environment: Findings from Population-Based Surveys of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Seattle, Washington, 2003–2006

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Abstract

We assessed trends in behavioral risk for HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Seattle MSM participated in random digit dial telephone surveys in 2003 (n = 400) and 2006 (n = 400). Fourteen percent in 2003 and 9% in 2006 reported unprotected anal intercourse with a partner of different or unknown HIV status (non-concordant UAI; odds ratio [OR] = 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.5, 1.2). Compared to participants in 2003, participants in 2006 met a greater proportion of their anal sex partners through the Internet (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.1). Although the proportion of anal sex partnerships formed online increased between 2003 and 2006, Internet partnerships were not more risky than those initiated elsewhere. While the emergence of the Internet as a venue through which men meet partners demonstrates that sexual risk among MSM remains highly dynamic, our findings suggest that sexual risk behavior among MSM is currently stable.

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Acknowledgments

Devon Brewer provided valuable feedback during the preparation of the manuscript. The authors thank JoElla Weybright, Laurie Burke, and others at Gilmore Research Group for their efforts in collecting the data and help in refining the sampling design. The 2003 RDD was supported by a Comprehensive STD Prevention System Syphilis Elimination grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 2006 RDD was supported by a grant to MRG (NIH K23 AI01846). TWM was supported by NIH T32 AI07140.

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Correspondence to Timothy W. Menza.

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Menza, T.W., Kerani, R.P., Handsfield, H.H. et al. Stable Sexual Risk Behavior in a Rapidly Changing Risk Environment: Findings from Population-Based Surveys of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Seattle, Washington, 2003–2006. AIDS Behav 15, 319–329 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-009-9626-y

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