Reducing Risk: Counseling Men Infected with HIV Who Have Sex with Men on Safer Sex Practices with Seroconcordant Partners

ABSTRACT

The incidence of new HIV infections in the United States continues to be greatest among men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM infected with HIV often seek seroconcordant sexual partners based on intent to limit psychosocial, legal, and health risks they perceive as higher with serodiscordant sexual partners. However, the rationales for limiting sexual relationships exclusively with other MSM infected with HIV may be rooted in misinformation or misperception. Thus, these clients may have a unique sexual health knowledge deficit that nurses, social workers, and other clinicians need to address to help them reduce risk. This article focuses on sexually related health risks that are distinct to MSM infected with HIV seroconcordant partners. Data on the most recent HIV-infection incidence rates in MSM in the United States is provided. Discussion concentrates on the risk these individuals may have in communicating and acquiring sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV, the risk of HIV superinfection, and how sexually transmitted diseases affect persons who are immunocompromised differently than those who are immunocompetent. Finally, recommendations for healthcare professionals who counsel MSM infected with HIV in sexual decision making is provided.

KEYWORDS:

• AIDS
• bisexual
• gay
• HIV
• men who have sex with men
• risk
• seroconcordant
• sexually transmitted disease
• superinfection

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to acknowledge the important work of Andrew Todd, MLIS, BSN, RN, Librarian, UCF College of Nursing and UCF Regional Campuses, in assisting with the comprehensive literature search methodology used in the preparation of this article.