TitleConcurrent sexual partnerships among young heterosexual adults at increased HIV risk: types and characteristics.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsWarren, JT, Harvey, SM, Washburn, IJoel, Sanchez, DMaria, Schoenbach, VJ, Agnew, CR
JournalSex Transm Dis
Volume42
Issue4
Pagination180-4
Date Published05/2015
ISSN1537-4521
KeywordsAdult, Coitus, Condoms, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Los Angeles, Male, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Partners, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Time Factors
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The impact of concurrency on sexually transmitted infection transmission depends on coital frequency, condom use, duration of relationship overlap, and number of partners. Previous research has identified distinct concurrency types; however, little is known about their risk characteristics.

METHODS: Men (n = 261) and women (n = 275) aged 18 to 30 years at increased risk for acquiring HIV were recruited from community locations in Los Angeles. Participants completed 4 in-person interviews for 12 months. Partnership data were used to characterize the prevalence of 4 types of concurrency: transitional (2 overlapping relationships in which the first relationship ended before the second), single day (a second relationship of 1 day's duration during the course of another relationship), contained (a second relationship >1 day began and ended during the course of another), and multiple (≥3 overlapping relationships). Multilevel random intercept models were used to estimate mean coital frequency, proportion of condom-protected acts, total duration of overlap, and lifetime sex partners.

RESULTS: At baseline, 47% of male and 32% of female participants reported any type of concurrency in the previous 4 months, and 26% of men and 10% of women reported multiple concurrencies. Condom use ranged from 56% to 64%, with the highest use in transitional concurrency (61% for men, 68% for women) and the lowest in contained (52% for men, 54% for women). Coital frequency, total overlap, and lifetime sex partners also varied by concurrency type.

CONCLUSIONS: Inconsistent condom use and repeated opportunities for exposure characterize common types of concurrency among high-risk young adults.

DOI10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000252
Alternate JournalSex Transm Dis
PubMed ID25763670
PubMed Central IDPMC4377640
Grant ListF31 HD068126 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
R01 HD047151 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
1R01 HD47151-01A2 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
F31HD068126 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States