Is Optimism Enough? Gay Men's Beliefs About HIV and Their Perspectives on Risk and Pleasure

Prestage, Garrett; Down, Ian; Bradley, Jack; McCann, Pol Dominic; Brown, Graham; Jin, Fengyi; Hurley, Michael

doi:10.1097/olq.0b013e31823e67a9

Cited by 41 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Themes also show that the relative meaning of risk and pleasure or adventure was pursued, constructed and reinforced by the men and their networks. Separate research has also observed that many gay men make similar assessments about risk and pleasure within this understanding of relative risk, often reflecting their own pre-existing perspectives about desire and risk [26]. This resonates with sentiments from Beck and colleagues of a 'risk society' [27][28], referring to a set of social, political and cultural conditions within which the men constructed and experienced risk in their daily lives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

‘Living a life less ordinary’: exploring the experiences of Australian men who have acquired HIV overseas

et al. 2014

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Background Increasing international mobility has led to a growth of cross-border HIV transmission around the world. In Australia, increasing rates of HIV infections acquired overseas have been reported, particularly among men. This qualitative study explored experiences and risk perceptions of 14 Australian men who acquired HIV while living or travelling overseas from the year 2000. Methods: Symbolic interaction provided the study’s theoretical perspective and analytical framework. Australian men living with HIV who were aged 18 years and older, believed they had acquired their infection while working or travelling overseas during or after the year 2000, and were diagnosed from 2003 onwards were eligible to participate. A semistructured interview schedule was developed and tested for content validity with the study reference group. Analysis was conducted using an adapted form of grounded theory to form the basis for the development of the experiences domains. Results: Analysis produced four domains of experience: (1) a fantasy realised, (2) escaping and finding a new self or life, (3) living a life less ordinary and (4) living local but still an outsider. The description of the four experience domains highlights how risk generally, particularly sexual risk, did or did not feature in these men’s understanding of their experiences. Conclusion: Perceptions and experiences of long-term travel played a decisive role for men who acquired HIV when travelling overseas. Appealing to desired experiences such as connection to local culture or sustaining a new or adventurous life may provide important implications for guiding health promotion programs and policy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

‘Living a life less ordinary’: exploring the experiences of Australian men who have acquired HIV overseas

et al. 2014

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“…These were based on earlier measures,18 with such items as ‘HIV is less serious than it used to be’ and ‘HIV treatments take the worry out of sex’. Responses were on a four-point scale ranging from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree.’ Scores were assigned where ‘one’ was least optimistic and ‘four’ was most optimistic.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with recent previous HIV testing among a sample of recently HIV-diagnosed gay men in Australia: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2014

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“…We think the diminished threat of HIV (and greater optimism about avoiding transmission) as a result of treatments has contributed to the rise in condomless sex, although it is by no means the only explanation. 16,34,39 The increase in condomless sex between casual male partners appears to be the main reason that HIV notifications have increased among GBM in Australia. 11,13 This is despite the increase in HIV treatment and undetectable viral load, the decline in partner numbers, the relatively high level of ongoing condom use and the increase in use of risk-reduction strategies such as serosorting during condomless anal sex.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting behavioural surveillance to antiretroviral-based HIV prevention: reviewing and anticipating trends in the Australian Gay Community Periodic Surveys

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Background:In Australia, the preventative use of antiretroviral drugs [pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment as prevention] is being embraced to protect individuals at high risk of HIV and reduce onward transmission. Methods: The adaptation of a behavioural surveillance system, the Gay Community Periodic Surveys, was reviewed to monitor the uptake and effect of new prevention strategies in Australia's primary HIV-affected population (gay and bisexual men, GBM). The national trends in key indicators during 2000-15 were reviewed and a new measure to take account of antiretroviral-based prevention was developed. Results: Between 2000 and 2015, there were significant increases (P < 0.001) in annual HIV testing (56.1-64.8%), condomless sex with casual partners (26.8-38.8%) and the proportion of HIV-positive men on HIV treatment (72.5-88.4%) and with an undetectable viral load (73.7-94.7%). The proportion of casual partners who were HIV negative, not on PrEP and who engaged in receptive condomless sex also increased between 2000 and 2015 from 12.8 to 19.3%. Two scenarios anticipating the effect of PrEP highlighted the need to target GBM who engage in receptive condomless sex while also sustaining condom use at a population level. Conclusions: Behavioural surveillance can be successfully adapted to follow the effect of antiretroviral-based prevention. It is anticipated that HIV testing and HIV treatment will continue to increase among Australian GBM, but to prevent new infections, intervention in the growing proportion of GBM who have condomless sex with casual partners is needed. For PrEP to have its desired effect, condom use needs to be sustained.

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Is Optimism Enough? Gay Men's Beliefs About HIV and Their Perspectives on Risk and Pleasure

Cited by 41 publications

References 6 publications

‘Living a life less ordinary’: exploring the experiences of Australian men who have acquired HIV overseas

‘Living a life less ordinary’: exploring the experiences of Australian men who have acquired HIV overseas

Factors associated with recent previous HIV testing among a sample of recently HIV-diagnosed gay men in Australia: a cross-sectional study

Adapting behavioural surveillance to antiretroviral-based HIV prevention: reviewing and anticipating trends in the Australian Gay Community Periodic Surveys

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