HIV Prevalence and Undiagnosed Infection Among a Community Sample of Gay Men in Scotland
- 1 June 2007
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
- Vol. 45 (2), 224-230
- https://doi.org/10.1097/qai.0b013e318058a01e
Abstract
Objective: To examine HIV prevalence among men in gay bars in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland. Methods: Self-complete questionnaires and Orasure oral fluid collection kits (OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, PA), to collect samples to be tested anonymously for HIV antibodies, were distributed. A total of 1744 men completed questionnaires (66.1% response rate), and 1350 provided samples (51.6% response rate). Results: HIV prevalence was 4.4% (95% confidence interval: 3.5% to 5.7%). Positivity was associated with older age (mean of 36 years for positive men vs. 32 years for negative men), having 10 or more anal intercourse (AI) partners (12.8% positive vs. 3.4% of men with P < 0.05), and self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the previous year (12.3% positive vs. 3.5% of men without STIs in the previous year; P < 0.05). Of the HIV-positive men, 41.7% were undiagnosed. More than half had had a negative HIV test result and perceived themselves to be HIV-negative. Men who had not used a genitourinary medicine clinic or had an STI in the previous year were more likely to be undiagnosed (65.0% and 52.5%, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first study to assess HIV prevalence among a community sample of gay men in Scotland. There is an urgent need for HIV prevention efforts to address the high level of undiagnosed infection and incorrect assumptions of status.Keywords
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