Understanding the agreements and behaviors of men who have sex with men who are dating or married to women: Unexpected implications for a universal HIV/STI testing protocol
Book Chapter
Mitchell, JW, Moskowitz, DA, Seal, DW. (2012). Understanding the agreements and behaviors of men who have sex with men who are dating or married to women: Unexpected implications for a universal HIV/STI testing protocol
. 45-57.
Mitchell, JW, Moskowitz, DA, Seal, DW. (2012). Understanding the agreements and behaviors of men who have sex with men who are dating or married to women: Unexpected implications for a universal HIV/STI testing protocol
. 45-57.
Men with a female partner who also have sex with men (MSMW) have been identified as a bridge population for possible HIV transmission to heterosexual women. Social science research that examines how relational and social aspects of MSMW partnered with women is needed to better understand the possible mechanisms that may contribute to HIV/STI risk among MSMW, their female relationship partners, and secondary male sex partners. Our study assessed whether self-reported accounts of sexual agreements and relationship behaviors of MSMW with a current female partner corresponded to their sexual risk behaviors with secondary male sex partners. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect anonymous data from a convenience sample of 145 MSMW who had a current female partner and also sought to engage in sex with men. The data indicated that the majority of MSMW engaged in oral and/or anal sex with another male without their female partner knowing. Of men reporting strictly monogamous heterosexual relationships, only 14.5% reported actually only having sex with their female relational partner. The men's average last tests for HIV and STIs were 87.5 and 181.9 months prior, respectively; and most men self-reported low condom use during oral sex and inconsistent condom use during anal intercourse. Universal HIV/STI testing is urgently needed to improve testing rates among MSMW who are unlikely to admit risk-behaviors. Additionally, tailored HIV prevention strategies such as couples-based sexuality and HIV/STI counseling may be beneficial for MSMW.
