September 13, 2007

Number of Partners Doesn’t Explain Gay HIV Rate

More than half the new HIV infections diagnosed in the United States in 2005 were among gay men, a team at the University of Washington, Seattle, noted. In addition, as many as one in five gay men living in cities may be HIV-positive.

But the sexual behaviors of gay and heterosexual men in the United States may not be as different as most people think, the researchers said. In fact, two surveys found that most gay men have a similar rate of sex with unprotected partners compared to straight men or women.

“Just because gay men continue to have much higher levels of HIV, we can’t jump to the conclusion that that means that they are promiscuous or that prevention messages aren’t working,” said lead researcher Steven Goodreau, an assistant professor of anthropology.

. . .

“We found that even if gay men behave the same way heterosexuals do — in terms of sexual partner numbers — gay men would still have a huge HIV epidemic,” Goodreau said. Conversely, “even if heterosexual men behaved the way gay men do, they would not have a huge HIV epidemic,” he added.

. . .

So, why the higher HIV risk for gay men? … One reason HIV remains epidemic among gay men is that anal sex is much more conducive to the transmission of HIV transmission than is vaginal sex, the researcher said.

. . .

In addition, HIV transmission is more easily transmitted through the penis than via the vagina or the anus, Goodreau said. Heterosexuals tend to maintain the same role (insertive vs. receptive), while gay men can switch roles — making the transmission of HIV more likely, he noted.

. . .

One expert believes the study does have its flaws, however.

“The information here is mostly based on people’s reports of their own behavior”…