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Relative safety II: a study of the contexts of HIV risk for gay men diagnosed with HIV
Duration: January 2008 - December 2008
Much has changed in the ten years since we completed Relative safety, a quantitative and qualitative study of the sexual risk behaviour of gay men with diagnosed HIV. For example, improvements in treatment efficacy means it’s likely that HIV is increasingly normalised as a chronic manageable condition. This is likely to affect men’s perceptions of risk and the diversity and the quality of intimate relations open to gay men with HIV. In addition, the increased capacity for online interaction has transformed the contexts within which sexual risk is negotiated among gay men with HIV. Furthermore, a range of risk reduction tactics (such as sero-sorting and strategic positioning) have been identified. Advances in clinical technologies (such as treatments for erectile dysfunction amd PEP) are also likely to influence risk practices and it may be worth examining positive men’s attitudes towards potential future technologies (microbicides and vaccines). Finally, criminal convictions for reckless transmission of HIV necessitates a re-evaluation of the central tenets of ‘responsibility’ and ‘disclosure’ within the risk practices of gay men with HIV.
This study which will use broadly the same methods as Relative safety. First, we will conduct a re-analysis of selected GMSS data sets to explore changes in risk behaviour of gay men with HIV over the last decade. Second, we will conduct qualitative in-depth face-to-face interviews with 50 men who:
• have been diagnosed with HIV.
• have engaged in UAI in the year prior to recruitment.
Men will be recruited from areas of high HIV prevalence (London and Manchester) and low-medium HIV prevalence (South Wales, Devon, Midlands, Yorkshire). The sample will be stratified by age and length of time since fdiagnosis. The focus of the interviews will be an account of the most recent incident of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Fieldwork takes place between March and August 2008 and a full final report will be available in December 2008.
This research is funded by Terrence Higgins Trust on behalf of CHAPS.
Key contact:
The partner agencies collaborating on this programme are:
The Armistead Project
Body Positive North West
Derbyshire Friend
The Eddystone Trust
George House Trust
GMFA
Staffordshire Buddies
Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru
Yorkshire MESMAC
