Sexually transmitted disease/HIV transmission risk behaviors and sexually transmitted disease prevalence among HIV-positive men receiving continuing care

Objective: HIV primary care clinics offer an environment in which to deliver prevention messages and to conduct sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening. Determination of the prevalence and factors associated with risk-taking behaviors among HIV clinic attendees is needed. Goal: The goal of this study was to describe risk behaviors and STD prevalence in males receiving HIV primary care. Study: Participants underwent an interviewer-administered survey and STD testing during this cross-sectional study. Results: Over two thirds of study participants reported sexual activity within the prior 6 months of which 6% were infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia. Men performing insertive rectal sex were 5 times less likely to use condoms when the partner was HIV-positive (odds ratio [OR], 5.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90-13.91), whereas patients with higher CD4 counts were more likely to engage in unprotected receptive rectal sex (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.42). Conclusion: HIV primary care clinics provide access to patients in need of HIV prevention intervention and are appropriate sites for these activities.