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The Meaning of ‘Regular Partner’ in HIV Research Among Gay and Bisexual Men: Implications of an Australian Cross-Sectional Survey

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posted on 2023-08-30, 14:15 authored by Benjamin R. Bavinton, Duane Duncan, Jeffrey Grierson, Iryna B. Zablotska, Ian A. Down, Andrew E. Grulich, Garrett P. Prestage
Estimates of the proportion of HIV infections coming from within regular sexual relationships among gay and bisexual men (GBM) vary widely. Research surveys use various partner type categories, but there is little understanding of how men classify their partners. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of Australian GBM exploring sexual relationships, including 2,057 men reporting on 2,566 regular partnerships. Just over half of the partnerships were considered ‘relationships’, while the remainder were non-romantic ‘fuckbuddy’-style arrangements. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with considering the partnership a ‘relationship’ were: using a ‘romantic’ descriptor, partnership length, monogamous agreements, any condomless anal sex with each other, love, and commitment. The category of ‘regular partner’ can mask diverse partnership types, which have different meanings to GBM, associated behaviours, and HIV risks. Certain HIV prevention techniques may be more suited to particular types of partnerships. ‘Fuckbuddy’ arrangements need to be more explicitly acknowledged in HIV prevention.

History

Refereed

  • Yes

Volume

20

Page range

1777-1784

Publication title

AIDS and Behavior

ISSN

1573-3254

Publisher

Springer

File version

  • Accepted version

Language

  • eng

Legacy posted date

2016-03-22

Legacy creation date

2021-01-28

Legacy Faculty/School/Department

ARCHIVED Faculty of Health, Social Care & Education (until September 2018)

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