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Recreational drug use (RDU) among gay and bisexual men (GBM) is associated with higher-risk sexual behaviours, however this has not been well defined among older GBM. We investigated the association between RDU and sexual behaviours among older GBM in Sydney, Australia. 617 GBM aged 35-79 years self-reported their RDU in the past 6 months and sexual behaviours. Age-stratified univariable associations between RDU and behaviour were examined. GBM aged 35-44 years were the most likely to report RDU, with rates decreasing with increasing age (Ptrend < 0.001). Associations between RDU and higher-risk sexual behaviours were most consistently found among GBM aged 35-54 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a research study on the risk factors, incidence and prevalence of pharyngeal gonorrhea among homosexual men in Sydney, Australia. Study subjects were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative homosexual men in Sydney who were tested for gonorrhea through the BD ProbeTec nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) assay with porA testing. Results showed that 65 of 1427 subjects have pharygeal gonorrhea infections and 85% occurred with no anogenital gonorrhea.

Background. Circumcision status was examined as an independent risk factor for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in the Health in Men cohort of homosexual men in Sydney. Methods. From 2001 through 2004, 1427 initially human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative men were enrolled and followed up until mid-2007. All participants were offered annual STI testing. The history of STIs was collected at baseline, and information on sexual risk behaviors was collected every 6 months. At annual faceto- face visits, participants reported STI diagnoses received during the previous year. Results. Circumcision was not associated with prevalent or incident herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, or self-reported genital warts. There was also no independent association of circumcision with incident urethral gonorrhea or chlamydia. Being circumcised was associated with a significantly reduced risk of incident (hazard ratio, 0.35 [95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.84]) but not prevalent (odds ratio, 0.71 [95% confidence interval, 0.35-1.44]) syphilis. The association was somewhat stronger among men who reported predominantly insertive unprotected anal intercourse (hazard ratio, 0.10 [95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.82]). Conclusions. These are the first prospective data obtained from homosexual men to assess circumcision status as a risk factor for STIs. Circumcised men were at reduced risk of incident syphilis but no other prevalent or incident STIs. Circumcision is unlikely to have a substantial public health impact in reducing acquisition of most STIs in homosexual men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a study which investigated the incidence and risk factors of syphilis in two community-based cohorts of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative and HIV-positive gay men in Sydney, New South Wales. It notes that the participants underwent annual face-to-face interviews, and syphilis screening was offered. According to this study, 21 men in the HIV-negative cohort seroconverted to syphillis while in the HIV-positive cohort, eight men seroconverted. The study concludes that syphilis incidence is higher in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative gay men.

The article reports on the results of a study designed to determine the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for genital and anal warts in HIV-negative homosexual men in Sydney, New South Wales. A description of the experimental setup and measurement method is given. The study concluded that anal warts were twice as common as genital warts. Also, fingering and other manual sexual practices may be an important transmission route for anal and genital warts.

In recent years, increases in both risk behavior and in seroconversion among homosexually active men have been noted in a number of parts of the world. Data were available from 903 HIV negative homosexual men regarding number of acts of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), separated into receptive and insertive UAI, with and without ejaculation, with steady and with casual partners. Partners were classified according to serostatus as reported by respondents. Men ( N = 325) reported 13,692 UAI acts, most of which were with steady partners, of whom most were reported to be HIV-negative. With HIV-positive partners, both steady and casual, and with casual partners of unknown serostatus, receptive UAI with ejaculation was relatively rare. Insertive UAI without ejaculation was relatively common with casual partners of unknown serostatus. Patterns of UAI suggest that risk of transmission may be greater with steady partners. Men appear to modify practice according to both the nature of the relationship (steady or casual) and (assumed) serostatus of partner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: Higher levels of sexual risk behaviours have been reported in HIV positive than in HIV negative homosexual men. In clinic based studies, higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have also been reported. We compared rates of common STIs between HIV positive and HIV negative homosexual men from two ongoing community based cohort studies in Sydney, Australia. Methods: Participants in the two cohorts were recruited using similar community based strategies. They were interviewed face to face annually after enrolment. Comprehensive sexual health screening, including hepatitis A and B, syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia (in urethra and anus) was offered to participants in both cohorts. Results: In participants in the HIV positive cohort, 75% were hepatitis A seropositive, 56% had serological evidence of previous or current hepatitis B infection, and 24% had evidence of vaccination against hepatitis B infection. 19% of men tested positive for syphilis and 4% had evidence of recent infections. Compared with men in the HIV negative cohort, after adjustment for age, HIV positive participants had significantly higher prevalence of previous or current hepatitis B infection, syphilis, and anal gonorrhoea. Conclusion: This finding supports the need for frequent STI testing in HIV positive men to prevent morbidity and to decrease the risk of ongoing HIV transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]