CTNPT 013: Sexual health and HIV-risk management in MSM

Study Approach

This study involves a mix of couples-based and one-on-one sessions with a sexologist, filling out questionnaires, interviews on topics related to sexual health as well as the collection of medical information. Blood will also be drawn to test for HIV during the study visits (in the amount of 7 mL per test), if there is no record of an HIV test result that is 1 month old or less. For HIV testing, participants will receive counselling before testing and when test results are received.

If eligible to participate, between the screening and baseline visit each couple will meet with the sexologist to help plan the upcoming sessions. Each session with the sexologist will be about one hour long.

These sessions will be adapted to the specific sexual health needs of each couple. They will help couples manage HIV-transmission risk (e.g., tailored risk-reduction strategies), take a sex-positive and multidimensional approach to sexual health, and aim to build skills.

The study outcomes that will be measured include sexual function, satisfaction, and communication, relationship satisfaction, and measures of HIV transmission risk like treatment adherence and viral load.

Results

The average age of the people interviewed was 35.4 years old. The youngest person was 20 and the oldest was 53.  The majority of participants were between 25 and 45 years old. The study looked at different aspects of sexual health based on Robinson’s model. The interviewees mentioned almost all parts of this model on their own, except for body image and spirituality.

All the men in the study said that relationships, including sexual agreements with partners, and sexual health practices, including managing HIV and avoiding risky behaviours, were important parts of sexual health. Other topics that were mentioned by participants included positive sexuality, the importance of talking about sex, sexual functioning, challenges to sexual health, how culture or sexual identity relates to sexual health, and masturbation and sexual fantasies.

Conclusion

This study shows that sexual health for gay men with HIV who have partners without HIV is complex and involves many different aspects. The most important parts include their relationships, managing their HIV, dealing with health risks, and having good, positive sexual experiences. When creating programs or services to promote sexual health for this group of men, it would be helpful to consider all of these different aspects.