AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #260 - Assumptions, assessments and disclosure around HIV status for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Indonesia
Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Stephen McNally - La Trobe University
Additional Authors: Dr. Jeffrey Grierson, Prof. Marian Pitts, Prof. Anthony Smith,
Aim: There is currently a paucity of social research that addresses MSM issues in Indonesia. Issues around knowledge and disclosure of HIV status and assumptions made about people’s status are important considerations in the development of HIV prevention strategies. This study aimed to provide an understanding of social practices in this area including assumptions around HIV status, criteria for assessing other people’s status and patterns of HIV disclosure. This study provides critical analyses that support targeted HIV prevention and sexual health promotion initiatives for MSM in Indonesia.
Method / Issue: Five hundred and nine men completed an online sexual health and sexual practices questionnaire. The study was promoted on gay and MSM websites and was completed during 2009. The survey covers a range of topics, including; socio-demographic information, sexual practice, and sexual health seeking behaviours. Men were asked to describe their most recent sexual encounter with up to five men. They were also asked to describe the circumstances surrounding this encounter, including assumptions about partner HIV status, and how they make decisions about their sexual partners HIV status. In addition these men were also asked a series of general questions about HIV testing, HIV disclosure and social contact with HIV positive people.
Results / Comments: 83% of these men reported never having had an HIV test. Few knew anyone with HIV and very few men believed that any of their friends were HIV positive. Of the 359 men who reported on their most recent sexual encounter with a man approximately one third made an assessment of their partners HIV status. Most assessed their partner to be HIV negative (58%) while 34% were unsure. In making this assessment the most common means reported by these men included: “I asked him” (51%); “I just assumed” (37%); and “by his physical appearance (37%). In addition 23% of these men stated that they did disclose their HIV status to this sexual partner (mostly HIV negative).
Discussion: In an environment of low HIV testing rates and high levels of negative attitudes towards HIV positive MSM, it is not surprising there are strong silences around HIV status. That men are making flawed assessments about sexual partner’s HIV status, presents significant challenges to the expansion and refinement of HIV prevention strategies with this population.
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