[Interesting item, especially in light of the fact so much of the discussion around this prevention strategy has focused on the downsides... Seems it's a bit more complex than that.]
Serosorting Is Associated with a Decreased Risk of HIV Seroconversion in the EXPLORE Study Cohort
via PlosONEPhilip SS, Yu X, Donnell D, Vittinghoff E, Buchbinder S (2010) Serosorting Is Associated with a Decreased Risk of HIV Seroconversion in the EXPLORE Study Cohort. PLoS ONE 5(9): e12662. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0012662
Abstract
Background
Seroadaptation strategies such as serosorting and seropositioning originated within communities of men who have sex with men (MSM), but there are limited data about their effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission when utilized by HIV-negative men.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Data from the EXPLORE cohort of HIV-negative MSM who reported both seroconcordant and serodiscordant partners were used to evaluate serosorting and seropositioning. The association of serosorting and seropositioning with HIV seroconversion was evaluated in this cohort of high risk MSM from six U.S. cities. Serosorting was independently associated with a small decrease in risk of HIV seroconversion (OR = 0.88; 95%CI, 0.81–0.95), even among participants reporting ≥10 partners. Those who more consistently practiced serosorting were more likely to be white (p = 0.01), have completed college (p = <0.0002) and to have had 10 or more partners in the six months before the baseline visit (p = 0.01) but did not differ in age, reporting HIV-infected partners, or drug use. There was no evidence of a seroconversion effect with seropositioning (OR 1.02, 95%CI, 0.92–1.14).
Significance
In high risk HIV uninfected MSM who report unprotected anal intercourse with both seroconcordant and serodiscordant partners, serosorting was associated with a modest decreased risk of HIV infection. To maximize any potential benefit, it will be important to increase accurate knowledge of HIV status, through increased testing frequency, improved test technology, and continued development of strategies to increase disclosure.
Read the full paper.
Disclosure is reliable by getting tested together. Discussions of serosorting leave out the most obvious due diligence needed for it to be actual serosorting... How can we know each others' tests results?... What tests were done?... and so forth. Geek sex saves lives!
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