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Further, Pollock and Halkitis 6 found that MSM who attended sex parties indicated a greater number of overall casual sex partners of both HIV-positive and HIV-negative status. 8 suggests that MSM who met partners at private sex parties were at greater risk for unprotected anal sex relative to MSM who met partners at CSEs, PSEs, or the gym after controlling for a number of variables including HIV status and level of self-reported temptation for unprotected sex. 9 Further, sex parties are often themed 23 (e.g., sadomasochism, urophilia, barebacking, or POZ only), and researchers have suggested that traditional outreach strategies may not be as effective in such venues.
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These sex parties are often organized in private spaces (e.g., hotel rooms or rented spaces), inaccessible by the general public. Private sex parties, which are neither CSEs nor PSEs, present a unique challenge for HIV prevention efforts. Another study by Halkitis, Moeller, and Pollock 22 indicated that HIV-positive men tended to frequent CSEs in order to meet casual sex partners more often than HIV-negative men did. Specifically, men who visited CSEs reported higher frequencies of male sexual partners and unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners compared with men who did not attend CSEs. 21 found differences in risk patterns between men who attended CSEs and those who did not. 18 – 20 One recent study of 398 MSM by Xia et al. 16, 17 Studies of MSM in public sex environments (PSEs e.g., rest stops and cruising parks) also indicate elevated levels of unprotected sexual acts. 6 – 15 For example, studies of MSM in commercial sex environments (CSEs e.g., bathhouses and sex clubs) have reported high levels of sexual risk. Specific environmental settings in which YMSM meet their sexual partners have been implicated in sexual risk taking and the potential transmission of HIV. 3 Studies from other metropolitan areas have paralleled these findings. Additionally, Black and Latino youth accounted for roughly 90% of all new infections in men under 20. 3 In this time frame, new HIV infections increased 126% in Black YMSM and 81% in Latino YMSM. In urban centers like New York City (NYC), new HIV diagnoses in YMSM rose 33% between 20, with most infections noted in racial and ethnic minority men. 2 In particular, HIV infections appear to be increasing among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). 2 This is particularly true for men who have sex with men (MSM) who, despite being only 4% of the population, account for 53% of all new HIV infections every year and 48% of all persons living with HIV. Three decades since the emergence of HIV/AIDS in the USA, 1 the epidemic continues to affect over 1.2 million Americans. Lastly, given that sex parties are different than other sex environments, commercial and public, with regard to how they are accessed, public health strategies may need to become more tailored in order to reach this potentially highly risky group.
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These results indicate that while only a small percentage of the overall sample attended sex parties, the intersection of both individual risk factors coupled with risk factors engendered within the sex party environment itself has the potential to be a catalyst in the proliferation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in urban settings. As compared with those who did not attend sex parties, those who did indicated significantly more lifetime and recent (last 3 months) casual sex partners, drug use (both number of different drugs used and total lifetime use), psychosocial burden (history of partner violence and number of arrests), and total syndemic burden (a composite of unprotected anal sex, drug use and psychosocial burden). Sex party attendees reported that parties included both HIV-positive and HIV-negative men attendees also reported unprotected sex and limited access to condoms and lubricant. Findings indicate that 8.7% ( n = 47) of the sample had attended a sex party 3 months prior to assessment. The current analysis examines sex party attendance and behavior in a sample of 540 emergent adult gay, bisexual, and other YMSM in New York City, ages 18–29 years. Very little information exists with regard to sex party behaviors in young men who have sex with men (YMSM), often defined as men ranging in age from 13 to 29 years.