Longitudinal Analysis of HIV Risk and Substance Use Patterns for Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women and Men Who Have Sex with Men Only

Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women (MSMW) experience discrimination from same-sex and heterosexual communities partially because of perceptions they feature high-risk sexual behavior, elevated polysubstance use levels, and constitute an HIV bridge population. We used a longitudinal multivariate generalized linear mixed model comparing sexual risk and substance use patterns for Men Who Have Sex with Men Only (MSMO) with MSMW in the same cohort study. Data consisted of 771 men reporting 3,705 sexual partnerships from 2012-2017. For high-risk sexual behavior multivariate results showed non-significant (p>0.05) differences for partner number and commercial sex work, and significantly less (p<0.05) HIV prevalence and condomless anal sex. However, MSMW had significantly higher levels of hallucinogen and prescription opioid use, and substance treatment histories. Only one HIV-positive MSMW had a transmittable viral load, negating the concept of an HIV bridge population. Results indicate the need for additional longitudinal studies comparing MSMO and MSMW.

Behaviorally bisexual men and their risk behaviors with men and women

Gay and bisexual men are often treated as a homogenous group; however, there may be important differences between them. In addition, behaviorally bisexual men are a potential source of HIV infection for heterosexual women. In this study, we compared 97 men who have sex with men only (MSM) to 175 men who have sex with men and women (MSMW). We also compared the 175 MSMW to 772 men who have sex with women only (MSW). Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess correlates of MSMW risk behaviors with men and with women as well as whether MSMW, compared with MSW, engaged in more risky behaviors with women. Compared with MSM, MSMW were less likely to be HIV-positive or to engage in unprotected receptive anal intercourse. In contrast, MSMW were more likely than MSW to be HIV-positive and to engage in anal intercourse with their female partners; however, rates of unprotected anal intercourse were similar. The study findings suggest that there may be important differences in HIV risk behaviors and HIV prevalence between MSM and MSMW as well as between MSMW and MSW.