Sexually Transmitted Infections
Volume 87, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 325-330

Central and East European migrant men who have sex with men: An exploration of sexual risk in the UK (Article)

Evans A.R. , Hart G.J. , Mole R. , Mercer C.H. , Parutis V. , Gerry C.J. , Imrie J. , Burns F.M.
  • a Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • b Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • c School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • d Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • e School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • f School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • g Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom, Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Mtubatuba, South Africa
  • h Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: Since May 2004, 10 central and east European (CEE) countries have joined the European Union. While HIV rates remain low among men who have sex with men (MSM) in CEE countries, there is no research on the sexual behaviour of CEE MSM in the UK. Methods: CEE MSM living in the UK (n=691) were recruited for an online questionnaire by two popular MSM websites. Results: The majority of men had arrived in the UK since May 2004. A previous sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis was reported by 30.7%, and 4.8% reported being HIV positive, the majority diagnosed in the UK. Unprotected anal intercourse with a casual partner of unknown or discordant HIV status was reported by 22.8%. Men who had been in the UK for longer (>5 years vs <1 year) reported more partners in the past 5 years (67.2% vs 50.4% had >10 partners, p<0.001) and were less likely to report their most recent partner was from their home country (14.9% vs 33.6%, p<0.001). Among migrant CEE MSM living in London, 15.4% had been paid for sex in the UK and 41.5% had taken recreational drugs in the past year. Conclusion: CEE MSM in the UK are at risk for the acquisition and transmission of STI and HIV through unprotected anal intercourse with non-concordant casual partners. Sexual mixing with men from other countries, commercial sex and increased partner numbers may introduce additional risk. This has important implications for the cross-border transmission of infections between the UK and CEE countries.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Europe, Eastern HIV Infections sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection recreational drug human Self Report middle aged Sexual Partners priority journal Aged substance abuse Internet Great Britain Unsafe Sex sexually transmitted disease Homosexuality, Male Sexually Transmitted Diseases Chlamydia Young Adult migrant worker gonorrhea male homosexual Humans Adolescent male semi structured interview questionnaire Syphilis Article high risk behavior health care utilization online system major clinical study Venereology adult infection risk United Kingdom anus intercourse ambulatory care Patient Acceptance of Health Care Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79956274061&doi=10.1136%2fsti.2010.046409&partnerID=40&md5=68a44f9d46f81966de8a8301ff49c647
DOI: 10.1136/sti.2010.046409
ISSN: 13684973
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English