Unprotected sex in regular partnerships among homosexual men living with HIV: a comparison between sero-nonconcordant and seroconcordant couples (ANRS-EN12-VESPA Study).

OBJECTIVE: We investigated factors associated with unprotected sex in regular partnerships among homosexual men living with HIV. METHOD: We used data from a French national representative sample of people living with HIV (ANRS-EN12-VESPA survey). This analysis included men in a regular partnership with another man for at least twelve months. Unprotected sex was defined as reporting at least one episode of sexual intercourse without a condom with this regular partner in the previous 12 months. Separate analyses were conducted in sero-nonconcordant couples and in HIV-positive seroconcordant couples. RESULTS: 285 and 193 homosexual men respectively reported a regular sero-nonconcordant and seroconcordant partner. Unprotected sex was reported by a higher number of respondents within seroconcordant (46.7%) than within sero-nonconcordant couples (15.6%). In both seroconcordant and sero-nonconcordant partnerships, unprotected sex was significantly more frequent when episodes of unprotected sex with casual partners were reported. In seroconcordant couples, those who had more than four casual partners were also more likely to practise unprotected sex with their regular partner. Among sero-nonconcordant couples, binge drinking and absence of disclosure of one's HIV-positive status to the partner were also independently associated with unprotected sex. CONCLUSIONS: A limited number of sero-nonconcordant homosexual couples persist in reporting risky sexual behaviour. Prevention messages should encourage communication and HIV disclosure. The relationship between unprotected sex with both casual and regular partners also calls attention about the underlying psycho-social and interactional factors that may influence sexual behaviours of people living with HIV in regular relationships, independently of the status of the partner.

Unsafe sex in regular partnerships among heterosexual persons living with HIV: evidence from a large representative sample of individuals attending outpatients services in France (ANRS-EN12-VESPA Study).

OBJECTIVE: Risky sexual behaviour remains frequent among people living with HIV. We analysed factors associated with unsafe sex within serodiscordant couples among heterosexual individuals living with HIV in France. METHODS: In 2003, a face-to-face survey was conducted among individuals selected in a random stratified sample of 102 French hospital departments delivering HIV care. This analysis included adults heterosexual participants in a regular partnership for at least 12 months with a seronegative/unknown serostatus partner, HIV-diagnosed for at least 12 months. Unsafe sex was defined as reporting inconsistent condom use in the prior 12 months. Among men and women, participants who reported unsafe sex were compared with those who did not. RESULTS: 663 heterosexual adults reported being in a serodiscordant regular partnership. Women accounted for 41% of participants and 26% of the sample were immigrants. Unsafe sex with the steady partner was reported by 26% of men and 34% of women (p=0.024). For men, factors independently associated with unsafe sex were being in a relationship for more than 10 years, being in a difficult financial situation and reporting regular consumption of alcohol to excess. Among women, having a history of drug use, not being aware of partner's serostatus, and reporting a difficult financial situation were independently associated with unsafe sex. In addition, immigrant women were associated with safer sex. CONCLUSIONS: A high number of serodiscordant couples continue to report risky sexual behaviour, and related factors are gender-specific. Couple-level interventions are essential in order to prevent HIV-transmission and to encourage negotiation within couples.

Sexual difficulties in people living with HIV in France--results from a large representative sample of outpatients attending French hospitals (ANRS-EN12-VESPA).

We analysed sexual difficulties in a nationally representative sample of HIV-infected outpatients in France. Analyses were restricted to the 1,812 HIV-treated participants who reported at least one sexual partner during the 12 months prior to the study. The sample included 40.6% homosexual men and 24.4% women; 68.1% had a steady partner and 48.2% reported casual partners. Sexual difficulties were reported by 33.3% of the selected individuals and were more frequent in those with low sexual activity. Immuno-virological outcomes were not associated with sexual difficulties. After multiple adjustment for sexual frequency and antidepressant consumption, it was found that a larger HIV-network, reporting HIV-discrimination from friends and/or sexual partners, suffering from lipodystrophy and reporting very disturbing HIV-related symptoms were all significantly associated with sexual difficulties. HIV and HIV-treatment experience are associated with sexual difficulties. Psychological support focused on HIV-experience should be tested as a possible tool for improving sexual quality of life.

Unsafe sex with casual partners and quality of life among HIV-infected gay men: evidence from a large representative sample of outpatients attending French hospitals (ANRS-EN12-VESPA).

INTRODUCTION: The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy has relaunched the debate on risky sexual behavior among HIV-infected gay men. It was proposed to study the influences of lifestyle characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQL) on unsafe sex with casual partners in a representative sample of HIV-infected gay men. METHODS: In 2003, a national survey based on face-to-face interviews was conducted among a representative sample of patients selected in a random stratified sample of 102 French hospital departments delivering HIV care. The patients selected for this analysis were gay men who reported having had sex with casual partners during the previous 12 months. Unsafe sex was defined as at least 1 episode of anal sexual intercourse without a condom with a casual partner during the previous 12 months. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 Scale. Patients who declared that they had engaged in unsafe sex were compared with those who declared that they had not done so, using the chi test and logistic regressions. RESULTS: Among the 1,117 gay men who participated in the study, 607 declared having had casual partners during the previous 12 months, and 140 (20%) of this latter group had engaged in unsafe sex. Poor mental HRQL was encountered in 68% of the patients and found to be independently associated with unsafe sex, even after multiple adjustment for number of partners, occurrences of binge drinking, use of anxiolytics, use of the Internet, and use of outdoor and commercial venues for sexual encounters. CONCLUSIONS: Risky sexual behavior with casual partners is frequent among HIV-infected gay men. In addition to other well-known factors, behavior of this kind was found in this study to be related to poor mental HRQL. A more comprehensive approach to care designed to improve mental quality of life might therefore make for more effective secondary prevention.