Posts
Coupled black men who have sex with
men tend to use condoms more often than white MSM couples, according to
research presented at the 19th International AIDS Conference in Washington.
Black MSM couples tended not to discuss condom use - unlike white MSM couples,
who nonetheless were more likely to have unprotected sex. The MSM studied lived
in San Francisco and New York City.
For black MSM couples, condom use
was more likely regardless of HIV status. Having safe sex was an unspoken rule,
so condom use was expected, these couples said.
“Research has shown that some of the
fastest-growing HIV cases in the US are among men in couple relationships and
among black men,” said Colleen Hoff, study leader and sexuality studies
professor at San Francisco State University. “However, we studied black men
with black partners and found that they are practicing safe sex. This suggests
that being in a relationship isn’t a risk factor for black men. We need to keep
searching for other factors that may explain the high incidence of HIV among
this demographic.”
Most white couples did not use
condoms, regardless of HIV status, after talking over the risks. Interracial
couples were divided on using condoms. Serodiscordant white and interracial
couples took the HIV-positive partner’s health into consideration when deciding
whether to have protected or unprotected sex. Many associated a treatment-related
low viral load with being less infectious.
“They might interpret decreased risk
as no risk and hence use no protection,” Hoff said. “It’s a calculated risk
they are taking.”
Safe-sex lapses among black couples
tended to be followed by discussion, HIV testing, and a return to condom use.
Interracial and white couples were more likely to continue having sex without
condoms.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
