Most gay men ‘behaving responsibly’

Australians are having more unsafe sex and suffering from more STIs, but gay men are more likely to use condoms than heterosexuals, a government health snapshot revealed this week.

Comparing recent National Centre for HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research data, the report estimates one in five homosexually active men in Sydney were having unprotected anal sex with casual partners.

Trends in rectal gonorrhoea among males support the reports of unprotected anal intercourse, the report stated.

Condom use among heterosexuals appeared worse with just 45 percent of males and 35 percent of females always using a condom with casual partners.

The majority of new HIV infections continue to be gay men, though that majority is steadily declining. Conversely, exposure from heterosexual activity has increased to 28 percent of new infections.

AIDS-defining conditions have remained largely uncharged since the advent of modern antiretroviral treatments, the data revealed.

The report was released by the Federal Government’s agency for health and welfare statistics and information to coincide with the Institute’s 2008 conference on Tuesday.

The government’s research council does not require studies to ascertain whether a participant has male-to-male sex except for HIV research. Lesbian and transgender health are not considered at all in the snapshot.

The GLBT Health Alliance lobbied for a sexuality question as part of its mission last year, but did not achieve a commitment from either major political party.

Male prisoners continued to report higher rates of STIs than the general population, despite the increasing availability of condoms in most states.

Illicit drug use has declined across Australia and in almost all categories except ecstasy. Cannabis and ecstasy continue to be more popular than methamphetamine, which includes crystal.