AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, December 12, 2005
Staff Medical Writers

In a recent report, researchers in the United States conducted a study to "develop a preliminary epidemiological description of a men who have sex with men (MSM) 'POZ Party', an emerging sex environment for HIV+MSM. As part of a pilot study in New York City in 2003, data were collected using a brief, behavioral intercept survey at entry to POZ Party events.

"Domains include demographic characteristics, history of HIV infection, motivations for attending POZ parties, lifetime and recent exposure to drugs (including use during POZ Party events), and recent sexual practices (both within both POZ Party venues as well as in non-POZ Party venues)."

"Predominantly white and over the age of 30, subjects in the sample include a broad range of years living with HIV infections for using a POZ Party venue for sexual partnering include relief from burdens for serostatus disclosure, an interest in not infecting others, and opportunities for unprotected sexual exchange.

"High rates of unprotected sex with multiple partners are prevalent in the venue. Although the sample evidences high rates of lifetime exposure to illicit drugs, relatively little drug use was reported in these sexual environments," reported M.C. Clatts and coworkers at the National Development & Research Institute in New York.

The authors continued, "These reports are consistent with evidence from direct observation at the venues themselves, in which no drug use was apparent."

"Serosorting among HIV+MSM may reduce new HIV infections, a stated interest of both POZ Party organizers and participants alike. However, high rates of unprotected anal intercourse within these venues signal continued risk for STIs."

"Additionally," concluded Clatts, "unprotected sexual contact with HIV partners and status unknown partners outside POZ Party venues heightens concern for diffusion of HIV superinfection."

Clatts and colleagues published their study in Sexually Transmitted Infections (An emerging HIV risk environment: a preliminary epidemiological profile of an MSM POZ party in New York City. Sex Transm Infect. 2005 Oct;81(5):373-6.

For additional information, contact M.C. Clatts, National Development & Research Institute Inc., Institute International Research Youth Risk, 71 W 23rd St., 4th Floor, New York City, NY 10010, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections is: B M J Publishing Group, British Med Association House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, England.

Keywords: New York, New York, United States, HIV/AIDS, Emerging Risk, Men Who Have Sex With Men, POZ Parties, Unprotected Sex.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Reference

Clatts MC, Goldsamt LA, Yi H, et al., "An emerging HIV risk environment: a preliminary epidemiological profile of an MSM POZ Party in New York City" Sex Transm Infect. 2005 Oct;81(5):373-6.

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