Fridae

A decline in HIV prevalence among the general population has been achieved through improvements to HIV prevention and treatment services for gay men, and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM). Fridae's Laurindo Garcia reports from Vienna.

Fridae CEO Stuart Koe told attendees at the Be Heard! pre-conference for MSM at the AIDS 2010 conference in Vienna that health promoters should take advantage of the potential of the web to reach gay men and MSM more effectively.

Researchers who reviewed 16 studies – that were judged to be relevant enough to be included – found that the risk of HIV transmission during anal intercourse may be around 18 times greater than during vaginal intercourse.

A survey of lubricant use amongst a group of gay men and women found that those who used lubricants for anal sex were three times more likely to acquire gonorrhoea, chlamydia or syphilis than those who used none.

Can we talk about "barebacking"? You know, unprotected anal sex between men. Sex without a condom. "Raw" sex. Or, if you prefer the almost comically clinical language of early safer sex education, sex during which "bodily fluids" may be "exchanged."

Are condoms as fun as HIV educators claim them to be? Jan Wijngaarden says probably not, as many have found out for themselves - but still there are compelling reasons why they should remain your penis's best friend (aside from your favourite hand).