Attitudes of male homosexuals to venereal disease clinics

Sexual difficulties, concerns, and satisfaction in homosexual men: an empirical study with implications for HIV prevention

Minimal research has investigated the prevalence of sexual disorders in homosexual men. We examined sexual performance concerns, problems, and satisfaction in a convenience sample of 197 homosexual men who attended a health seminar. Sexual dysfunction and sexual concerns were found to be common problems. Almost all men reported some sexual difficulty over their lifetime, and more than half reported a current sexual difficulty. A further 25% of the sampled men identified other sexual concerns as well. Despite these figures, most participants-whether single, dating, or in a relationship-reported average to above-average sexual satisfaction. Correlates of sexual satisfaction included more liberal attitudes toward human sexuality, greater comfort with men's sexual attractions to other men, lower levels of internalized homophobia, and greater satisfaction with one's relationship status. Painful receptive anal intercourse appeared to be a common, yet previously underacknowledged, difficulty. Almost half of the respondents described HIV/AIDS as having a negative impact on their sexual functioning, with most reporting an increase in fear of sex as the major negative outcome.

Syphilis case-finding in an Australian men's sauna club

A survey of 623 volunteers from a popular sauna club for homosexual men in Melbourne was carried out over a 12-month period. Blood samples were taken for serological tests for syphilis from each subject; in 114 (18.3%) of these, the test results were positive. Thirty-four subjects with positive test results (5.4%) had no previous history of syphilis. Follow-up was possible in 22 of these (64.7%), which resulted in 17 new cases of syphilis being detected and treated (a case incidence of 2.7%). Blood testing at sauna clubs patronized by homosexuals is a productive and cost-effective way of detecting asymptomatic syphilis in individuals at high risk of infection.