A comparison of high-risk sexual behaviour and HIV testing amongst a bar-going sample of homosexual men in London and Edinburgh

Background: This study compared high-risk sexual and HIV testing behaviour amongst homosexual men recruited from gay bars in London and Edinburgh, Met hods: A cross-sectional survey monitoring high-risk sexual and HIV testing behaviour using a self-completed questionnaire was conducted in November an d December 1996, Results: Two thousand, three hundred and ninety-seven ques tionnaires were returned (1,366 recruited in London and 1,031 in Edinburgh) , with a response rate of 77%, A larger proportion of men surveyed in Londo n had had unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with one or more male partners in the previous year (35%) than in Edinburgh (36%), Men recruited in Edinb urgh were less likely to have had an HIV test (54%) than men in London (63% ), In both surveys, 25% of men who reported UAI with partners of the same H IV status as themselves also reported never having had an HIV test. Conclus ions: The observed dissimilarities in the HIV epidemic in the two cities ma y be accounted for by the differences in self-reported high-risk sexual and HIV testing behaviours between the two populations. A large proportion of men in both cities continue to engage in high-risk sexual behaviour suggest ing continued transmission of HIV in these populations. Thus, there is a co ntinued need for innovative and relevant health promotion amongst homosexua l men in the UK.