Increase in unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners among Sydneygay men in 1996-98

We examined differences over time in Sydney gay men's unprotected anal inte rcourse, particularly with a view to investigating any behavioural changes after the recent improvements in antiretroviral therapies. Trends in unprot ected anal intercourse were monitored through the Sydney Gay Community Peri odic (cross-sectional) Surveys which were conducted at six-monthly interval s between February 1996 and February 1998. Gay men (n=2,863) were recruited and self-completed a short questionnaire at three gay venues and a sexual health clinic. There was a significant increase in unprotected anal interco urse with casual partners (but not with regular partners), applicable to bo th HIV positive and HIV negative men. Sexual practice was generally unrelat ed to ideas about recent advances in viral load testing and combination the rapies.