USA study of sex toy use by HIV-positive men who have sex with other men: implications for sexual health.

HIV/AIDS disproportionately impacts men who have sex with men (MSM) in the USA. Most existing literature on MSM with HIV focuses on transmission risk, but does not acknowledge health-promoting sexual behaviours men may undertake. This study examined sex toy use within this population to describe the extent to which using toys is incorporated into their sexual repertoires as a risk reduction practice. Data regarding sociodemographics, sexual/health-related behaviours and sex toy use were collected from 2275 MSM using an online survey. Most participants reported being sexually active (88.5%), and the majority (70.2%) of participants reported sex toy use within the previous year. Sex toy users were more likely to be white, in sexual relationships with others, and reported higher levels of sexual satisfaction. Given that sex toy use is common among this population, room for discussion exists about sex toys as tools to enhance pleasure and reduce HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission.

Relations between sexually transmitted infection diagnosis and sexual compulsivity in a community-based sample of men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVE: To assess relations between sexual compulsivity and a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis and testing among a community-based sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) in a mid-size urban area of the midwestern United States. METHODS: Sexual health data were collected from 504 MSM in the metropolitan area of Indianapolis, Indiana, using a community-based participatory research approach. Sexual compulsivity scores were assessed using the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS). RESULTS: The reliability and construct validity of the SCS were determined to be high in the total study sample. Men who scored high on the SCS reported higher levels of sexual risk behaviour with both male and female partners and were significantly more likely to have been diagnosed with STI (including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, both hepatitis A and B, and syphilis) than other men. Men who scored high on the SCS were not more likely than other men to have been tested for STI, despite higher levels of sexual risk. CONCLUSIONS: The SCS may be useful as a supplemental instrument in public health programmes and healthcare settings that encourage men to assess their sexual behaviours and make decisions to pursue STI or HIV screening. For those already diagnosed with an STI, the SCS may help providers to identify the cognitive and affective components of sexual behaviours that increase the likelihood that an STI will be transmitted to a sexual partner.