Trends in risk taking and risk reduction among German MSM: results of follow-up surveys "Gay men and AIDS" 1991-2007

Arbeitspapier | Working paper

"Objectives: To calculate estimates for group level trends among German men who have sex with men (MSM) regarding parameters related to HIV epidemiology: frequency of anal intercourse, consistency in condom use, risk-taking, numbers of sex partners, incident bacterial STIs, and HIV-testing behaviour. Methods: Data derived from six large cross-sectional national follow-up surveys among MSM, conducted between 1991 and 2007. Questionnaires were circulated with German magazines for gay men; in 2003/2007, online recruitment was added. 23,878 anonymously self-administered questionnaires were analyzed in multiple regression models for five subgroups. Results: With the normalization of AIDS, restriction of anal intercourse to primary partnerships has lost its relevance as a risk avoidance strategy for MSM. Other traditional risk reduction strategies among MSM in Germany showed a high degree of time stability: Between 1991 and 2007, condom use in anal intercourse has been relatively stable; numbers of sex partners have been rather constant. No positive trends in the use of Nitrite inhalants were seen, party drugs were increasingly used by a minority of gay men during the 1990s. The syphilis epidemic seen after 1999 among German gay men is well reflected in the survey data. No evidence was found for a concurrent rise in urethral gonorrhoea. The proportion of MSM with a recent HIV test has been continuously increasing. Conclusions: We found no evidence for increasing 'carelessness' or 'prevention fatigue'. However, given the increasing proportions of MSM who frequently engage in anal intercourse with casual partners, a rise in HIV incidence is likely; especially if accompanied by a syphilis epidemic. Time trend analyses of these large behavioural follow-up surveys suggest that the rise in new HIV diagnoses among MSM in Germany may partially reflect an increased uptake of HIV-testing, rather than new infections due to the erosion of condom use or increased numbers of sex partners." (author's abstract)

Object Details

• Alternative title: Trends bei der Risikoübernahme und Risikominderung bei deutschen MSM: Ergebnisse von Follow-up-Studien "Schwule Männer und AIDS" 1991-2007
• Extent: Seite(n): 27
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Status: Veröffentlichungsversion

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Discussion Papers / Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung, Forschungsschwerpunkt Bildung, Arbeit und Lebenschancen, Forschungsgruppe Public Health (2009-303)

Classification and Topics

• Subject: Soziologie, Anthropologie ; Familiensoziologie, Sexualsoziologie ; Medizinsoziologie ; Bundesrepublik Deutschland ; Infektionskrankheit ; Gesundheit ; AIDS ; Risiko ; Bisexualität ; Prävention ; Sexualverhalten ; Mann ; Trend ; Homosexualität ; empirisch ; empirisch-quantitativ

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Schmidt, Axel J. ; Bochow, Michael
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung gGmbH
• (where): Deutschland, Berlin
• (when): 2009

Further information

• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-259255
• Rights: GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. Bibliothek Köln
• Last update: 21.06.2024, 4:27 PM CEST