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A comparison of sexual behavior patterns among men who have sex with men and heterosexual men and women.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Men who have sex with men (MSM) have higher rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections than women and heterosexual men. This elevated risk persists across age groups and reflects biological and behavioral factors; yet, there have been few direct comparisons of sexual behavior patterns between these populations. METHODS:We compared sexual behavior patterns of MSM and male and female heterosexuals aged 18-39 using 4 population-based random digit dialing surveys. A 1996-1998 survey in 4 US cities and 2 Seattle surveys (2003 and 2006) provided estimates for MSM; a 2003-2004 Seattle survey provided data about heterosexual men and women. RESULTS:Sexual debut occurred earlier among MSM than heterosexuals. MSM reported longer cumulative lifetime periods of new partner acquisition than heterosexuals and a more gradual decline in new partnership formation with age. Among MSM, 86% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 72% of 35- to 39-year-olds formed a new partnership during the previous year, compared with 56% of heterosexual men and 34% of women at 18-24 years, and 21% and 10%, respectively, at 35-39 years. MSM were also more likely to choose partners >5 years older and were 2-3 times as likely as heterosexuals to report recent concurrent partnerships. MSM reported more consistent condom use during anal sex than heterosexuals reported during vaginal sex. CONCLUSIONS:MSM have longer periods of partnership acquisition, a higher prevalence of partnership concurrency, and more age disassortative mixing than heterosexuals. These factors likely help to explain higher HIV/sexually transmitted infections rates among MSM, despite higher levels of condom use.

SUBMITTER: Glick SN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3334840 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A comparison of sexual behavior patterns among men who have sex with men and heterosexual men and women.

Glick Sara Nelson SN Morris Martina M Foxman Betsy B Aral Sevgi O SO Manhart Lisa E LE Holmes King K KK Golden Matthew R MR

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) 20120501 1

<h4>Objective</h4>Men who have sex with men (MSM) have higher rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections than women and heterosexual men. This elevated risk persists across age groups and reflects biological and behavioral factors; yet, there have been few direct comparisons of sexual behavior patterns between these populations.<h4>Methods</h4>We compared sexual behavior patterns of MSM and male and female heterosexuals aged 18-39 using 4 population-based random digit dialing surveys ...[more]

PMID: 22522237

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Project description:ObjectiveLifestyle may be associated with risk behaviours. This study compares gym exercise and sexual risk behaviour between men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual men. The research was based on the assumption that men who become muscular and physically attractive increase their number of sex partners and consequently their risk of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).SettingFive gyms in central Tel Aviv, Israel.ParticipantsIn 2012, a sample of 182 (48%) MSM and 197 (52%) heterosexual men who train in gyms completed anonymous questionnaires regarding their training, health and sexual behaviours.OutcomesParticipants in this cross-sectional study who exercised more than the median number of anaerobic training hours were defined as performing intensive anaerobic training (IAT), and those who had performed more than one act of unprotected anal/vaginal intercourse in the preceding 6 months with a partner whose HIV status was unknown were defined as high risk.ResultsMSM showed a stronger desire to become muscular than heterosexual men, were more likely to perform IAT, and used protein powders or anabolic steroids. They reported that improving their body shape and increasing their self-confidence were their main reasons for training, whereas heterosexual men indicated weight loss and health improvement as the main reasons for training. MSM engaged in riskier sexual behaviour than heterosexual men. Of all the high-risk men, 61.9% (N=70) performed IAT, while 38.1% (N=43) performed moderate anaerobic training (p<0.01). The association between IAT and sexual risk was stronger in MSM than in heterosexual men (p<0.01 vs p=0.05, respectively). The interaction between MSM and IAT in high-risk participants was multiplicative.ConclusionsMSM practised more IAT than heterosexual men, and their interaction between IAT and sexual risk was multiplicative. The MSM community could benefit from a holistic approach to sexual health and its association with body image and IAT. The gym MSM culture demonstrates how internal dynamics and social norms are possible factors driving MSM to high-risk behaviour for HIV/STI.Study registrationThe study was approved by the Wolfson Hospital Review Board, Holon, Israel (WOMC-0058-09).

Dataset Information

A comparison of sexual behavior patterns among men who have sex with men and heterosexual men and women.

Publications

A comparison of sexual behavior patterns among men who have sex with men and heterosexual men and women.

Similar Datasets

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