Risk behaviour among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men: Comparisons with other gay men in Australia

Chris G. Lawrence, Patrick Rawstorne, Peter Hull, Andrew E. Grulich, Scott Cameron, Garrett P. Prestage*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objectives: To determine any differences in HIV-risk and drug-use behaviour among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men and other gay men in Australia. Methods: The Gay Community Periodic Survey is a repeated cross-sectional prevalence study of the sexual and drug use behaviours of Australian gay men conducted since 1996. Responses from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) gay men were compared with those from non-ATSI gay men for the years 2000-2004. Results: Of 34 708 responses collected in major Australian cities over a 6-year period, 1208 identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. There was little difference between ATSI and non-ATSI men in the reported prevalence of HIV, though ATSI gay men were more likely than non-ATSI gay men to engage in unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners and to inject illicit drugs but were more likely to have been recently tested for HIV. Conclusions: These ATSI gay men were at increased risk of HIV and other blood-borne viruses, though this may be due to differences in socio-economic status as much as cultural background. These findings indicate the continued need for targeted sexual and injecting-drug-use health interventions among this population.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)163-167
    Number of pages5
    JournalSexual Health
    Volume3
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2006

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Risk behaviour among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men: Comparisons with other gay men in Australia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this