J B de Wit1, G J van Griensven. 1. Utrecht University, Department of Gay and Lesbian Studies, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study relapse into unsafe sex among homosexual men using a novel method. DESIGN: Time from safer to unsafe sexual behaviour was analysed using Kaplan-Meier procedures. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to quantify the relation between duration of safer sex and several covariates. SUBJECTS: Subjects were homosexual men enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study in Amsterdam and included in the present assessment if they had ever reported an episode of safer sexual behaviour of at least 12 months. RESULTS: Of the 402 participants who met the inclusion criterion, 289 (72%) reported at least one episode of unprotected anogenital intercourse during follow-up. The median time from safer to unsafe sexual behaviour was 30 months. After 88 months of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of unsafe sexual behaviour reached 88%. Younger age, HIV seropositivity and use of amyl nitrites (poppers), were related to a shorter time to unsafe sexual behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings it is possible to target relapse prevention at specific groups of homosexual men, thereby increasing programme effectiveness and efficiency.
OBJECTIVE: To study relapse into unsafe sex among homosexual men using a novel method. DESIGN: Time from safer to unsafe sexual behaviour was analysed using Kaplan-Meier procedures. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to quantify the relation between duration of safer sex and several covariates. SUBJECTS: Subjects were homosexual men enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study in Amsterdam and included in the present assessment if they had ever reported an episode of safer sexual behaviour of at least 12 months. RESULTS: Of the 402 participants who met the inclusion criterion, 289 (72%) reported at least one episode of unprotected anogenital intercourse during follow-up. The median time from safer to unsafe sexual behaviour was 30 months. After 88 months of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of unsafe sexual behaviour reached 88%. Younger age, HIV seropositivity and use of amyl nitrites (poppers), were related to a shorter time to unsafe sexual behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings it is possible to target relapse prevention at specific groups of homosexual men, thereby increasing programme effectiveness and efficiency.
Authors: Margaret A Chesney; Beryl A Koblin; Patrick J Barresi; Marla J Husnik; Connie L Celum; Grant Colfax; Kenneth Mayer; David McKirnan; Franklyn N Judson; Yijian Huang; Thomas J Coates Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-06 Impact factor: 9.308