CROI 2015 Program and Abstracts

Abstract Listing

Oral Abstracts

Conclusions: Among MSM in our clinic, those diagnosed with HIV modified their sexual behaviors post-diagnosis based on partner HIV status and this change was sustained several years after diagnosis. These findings suggest that, among MSM, changes in sexual behavior following HIV diagnosis are large and durable. 1062 Serosorting and Sexual Risk Behavior Influenced by Perceived HIV Serostatus Among MSM

Kathleen A. Brady ; Jennifer Shinefeld; Catherine Mezzacappa Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, US

Background: According to the CDC, unknown HIV serostatus and unprotected anal sex among men who have sex with men (MSM) contribute to high levels of new infections in this population. This study used data from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) to analyze the relationship between perceived HIV serostatus and high-risk sexual behaviors among MSM. Methods: NHBS is conducted annually in 20 metropolitan areas using a standardized survey and free HIV testing to analyze trends in HIV risk behaviors and prevalence among high risk groups including MSM. HIV testing included a rapid test at time of interview and a confirmatory test. We combined data from the 2008 and 2011 MSM cycles in Philadelphia and performed bivariate analyses of sexual risk behaviors at last sexual encounter across perceived HIV serostatus. Perceived HIV serostatus was defined as ‘known negative’ for a man who had a negative HIV test in the past year, ‘known positive’ for a man who had ever tested positive for HIV, and ‘unknown’ for a man who had not had an HIV test in the past year nor previously tested positive. Serosorting is the practice of choosing a partner known to be of the same HIV serostatus in order to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Results: Of 1194 respondents, 31.3%were known negative, 5.5% known positive, and 63.2% unknown perceived serostatus. Testing revealed that 3.0% of known negative and 4.4% of unknown perceived serostatus were HIV positive. There were no differences in frequency of insertive anal sex at last encounter across perceived serostatus. Known negative men were less likely to use a condom during receptive anal intercourse (p=0.006). Approximately two-thirds of all respondents knew the HIV status of their most recent partner. Among those who knew their partner’s HIV status, serosorting was extremely prevalent: 73.9% of known positive men had sex with an HIV positive partner, compared to 5.6% of unknown, and 4.4% of known negative men, (p<0.0001).

Oral Abstracts

Conclusions: Knowledge of HIV serostatus influences sexual behaviors among MSM, particularly through serosorting. However, over 60% of men surveyed had not been tested for HIV in the previous year and a third of men did not know the HIV status of their most recent partner. Prevention efforts should be tailored to reach those MSMwho remain unaware of their HIV status.

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CROI 2015