Correlates of risky behaviors among young and older men having sexual relations with men in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Objective: To assess characteristics associated with 1) age and 2) recent u nprotected anal sex with casual partners among men having sexual relations with men (MSM) participating in the Omega Cohort, Montreal, QuCbec, Canada. Methods: The Omega Cohort is a study of the incidence and psychosocial dete rminants of HIV infection among MSM living in Montreal. MSM complete a ques tionnaire and are tested for HIV every 6 months. Results: Thirteen percent of young MSM (<30 years of age, it = 355) and 12% of older MSM <30 years of age, n = 355) reported recent unprotected anal s ex with casual partners. The predictors of this latter behavior were: not l iving with a male sexual partner, unprotected anal sex with regular partner , >5 casual partners, alcohol/ drug use before anal sex, and having difficu lties with procedures needed for safe sex. Among young MSM, additional pred ictors were: to have been living in Montreal for less than 1 year and to ha ve exchanged money for sex. Among older MSM, additional predictors were: fe male sexual partners, unprotected anal sex with an HIV-infected partner, an d feeling invulnerable to AIDS. Conclusion: Young Omega participants do not have more risky behaviors than older participants. Some predictors of recent risk behaviors with casual pa rtners were different between the two groups. Prevention programs should be adapted consequently.