The broader sexual health needs of gay men with diagnosed HIV Dr Adam Bourne adam.bourne@sigmaresearch.org.uk
Focus has been on positive prevention Little to address sexual health of Little to address sexual health of men with diagnosed HIV
1217 gay or bisexual men Aged from 17 to 76, median 42 80% White British Diagnosed 1 month 25 years 71% college/university educated 57% in paid employment
Problems in the last year (% of all) anxiety & depression self-esteem sex sleep friendships eating taking anti HIV treatments dicrimination chores & self-care drugs & alcohol money family relationships partner relationships Mobility housing & living conditions knowledge of HIV 9 immigration 1 looking after children 1 18 27 27 27 26 30 36 35 37 40 44 73 72 71 71 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 % of all who experienced problems in the last year
2001-02: Problems in the last year (% of all) anxiety & depression self-confidence sex sleep friendships eating & drinking taking anti HIV treatments discrimination chores & self care drugs & alcohol 15 money family relationships 0 partner relationships mobility housing & living conditions 19 knowledge of HIV 4 immigration 0 looking after children 1 20 26 24 29 30 28 33 41 49 54 61 67 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 % of all who experienced problems in the last year
DIFFICULTIES WITH SEX AMONG THOSE WITH SEXUAL PROBLEMS Loss of libido poor self-image / low self confidence 63 63 Too little or no sex 59 Fear of rejection from potential partners worries about passing HIV to others worries about disclosing HIV+ to partners problems with penis, vagina, anus worries about prosecution if HIV is passed 35 40 45 45 50 treatment side effects 25 too much sex other problems 6 6 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 % of those with sexual problems
Poor self image/low self confidence Fear of rejection from sexual partners Problems with penis or anus Only 15% felt problem had improved or been resolved
27% had received help: (GUM clinic, counselling, HIV charity) 73% had not received any help 52% of these felt that further help or support would be useful
Either some kind of group or one-toone therapy. not necessarily professionally led, but somewhere to be able to talk about these issues. Feeling better about myself and not seeing myself as a dirty, infected bastard would help things.
I want more than just sex that is easy to get but these days I want sex WITHIN a relationship not recreational sex. Finding a lover to hug and fall asleep with at night.
Concern about transmission and criminalisation makes me anxious and depressed...a more reasoned discussion about criminalisation would help. Currently, all the pressure and responsibility is on ME...what happened to each person is responsible for their own sexual health?
Finding that the level of public understanding was sufficiently improved that I felt more confident about disclosure to prospective partners without risking ostracisation or public humiliation.
FEELINGS ABOUT SEX Fairly happy 33% Very happy 15% Very unhappy 17% Fairly unhappy 35%
Stigma/discrimination People don t always seek help Needs exacerbated at point of diagnosis Best sex with the least harm
Terrence Higgins Trust Peter Weatherburn, Peter Keogh, Catherine Dodds, Jon Owour, Gary Hammond & Kathie Jessup All 110 collaborating agencies
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