Publication Cover
AIDS Care
Psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
Volume 18, 2006 - Issue 8
130
Views
12
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Communication of HIV viral load to guide sexual risk decisions with serodiscordant partners among San Francisco men who have sex with men

, , , , , & show all
Pages 983-989 | Published online: 18 Jan 2007
 

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate frequency and correlates of discussing HIV viral load (VL) with serodiscordant sex partners to guide decisions about sexual activities among men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 573 San Francisco MSM. Among 507 who knew their HIV status, 397 (78%) were familiar with the term ‘viral load’, and half (n=199) had a serodiscordant partner in the prior year. These 199 respondents (n=130 [65%] HIV-positive; n=69 [35%] HIV-negative) were the focus of this analysis. A majority (n=111, 56%) discussed VL in the prior year with serodiscordant partners specifically to guide decisions about sexual risk behaviour. Discussion was more common among HIV-positive than HIV-negative participants (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–7.6), and African Americans compared to whites (AOR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.5–9.5). HIV-negative men who discussed VL were more concerned about becoming infected, but also more willing to engage in risky behaviour with a partner whose VL is undetectable, than men not discussing VL. Some HIV-negative men may be discussing VL to engage in higher risk behaviour upon learning of an HIV-positive partner's undetectable VL. Interventions targeting MSM should explain that while risk of transmission is likely reduced with a low blood plasma VL, it is not necessarily eliminated.

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Cooperative Agreement U64/CCU914930). The authors would like to thank Jonas Abella, Oscar Macias, and Jesus Perez for recruiting participants and conducting study visits, and Melissa Rader for providing data management.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.