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Latent Classes of Sexual Positioning Practices and Sexual Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Paris, France

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Abstract

HIV/STI risk varies by sexual positioning practices; however, limited data have characterized the behavioral profiles of men who have sex with men (MSM) in France. This study used latent class analysis (LCA) to explore sexual risk profiles among MSM in Paris, France. LCA was used to classify sexual positioning and serosorting profiles among MSM in Paris (n = 496). Age, HIV status, relationship status, substance use, group sex, and PrEP history were used in a multinomial regression model predicting class membership. Three latent classes were identified: majority top/serosorters, versatile/low partners, and majority bottom/some serosorters. Majority top/serosorters had the highest probability of condomless serosorting; majority bottom/some serosorters had the highest mean number of partners (~ 12 partners) for condomless receptive anal intercourse. HIV-positive MSM were more likely to be classified as majority bottom/some serosorters than versatile/low partners (AOR 7.61; 95% CI 2.28, 25.3). Findings support the need for tailored and targeted interventions for highest-risk individuals.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the translators and participants of this study who contributed to the project. This work was supported by Dr. Dustin Duncan’s New York University School of Medicine (Start-Up Research Fund), National Institute of Mental Health (Grant Nos. R01MH112406, R21MH110190), National Institute on Drug Abuse (Grant No. R03DA039748) and also by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Grant No. U01PS005122).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The REACH Initiative, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe St, SON House 104, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Derek T. Dangerfield II

  2. Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    Chakema C. Carmack

  3. Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Tamika D. Gilreath

  4. Spatial Epidemiology Lab, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Dustin T. Duncan

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  1. Derek T. Dangerfield II
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Correspondence to Derek T. Dangerfield II.

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Dangerfield, D.T., Carmack, C.C., Gilreath, T.D. et al. Latent Classes of Sexual Positioning Practices and Sexual Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Paris, France. AIDS Behav 22, 4001–4008 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-2267-2

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