Discussing HIV serostatus with prospective sex partners: A potential HIV prevention strategy among high-risk men who have sex with men

Objective: To study factors associated with HIV serostatus discussions among men who have sex with men (MSM). Design: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey among MSM visiting an urban sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. Methods: MSM were asked about sex partner recruitment, serostatus of partners, condom use, drugs use, and HIV serostatus discussions with sex partners. Results: Among 1,400 MSM reporting occasional sex partners, serostatus discussion with 100% of partners was reported by 509 (36.3%), with 50% to 99% of partners by 263 (18.8%), and with < 50% of partners by 628 (44.9%). Factors associated with serostatus discussion included lower number of sex partners, anal sex with an occasional partner, and sex partner recruitment through the Internet. Partner recruitment in bathhouses and having sex with both men and women were negatively associated. Conclusions: Discussion of HIV serostatus was common among MSM studied. Although this strategy has limitations, interventions should address HIV status discussions. Because the Internet may facilitate these discussions, web-based interventions should be evaluated.