Summary

The men interviewed skilled multiple lovers along with a diverse intimate repertoire both abroad as well as house. Nevertheless, the behavior had been amplified in Berlin. The males would not change their safer intercourse training according to should they had intercourse in Sweden or Berlin. The high flexibility and vulnerability for HIV/sexually sent illness (STI) among these males highlights the requirement of increased usage of antiretroviral therapy, pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV and low-threshold HIV/STI testing solutions in European countries.

Talents and restrictions of the research

The style included interviews complemented with participatory observations in groups and intercourse groups in Berlin.

The interviewer balanced between emic and etic approaches to be able to gain trust through the individuals as well as the time that is same deep knowledge of the tradition described within the interviews.

A limitation is the fact that number of Swedish males that have intercourse with guys going to Berlin had not been compared to Berlin site site site visitors off their nations or Swedes whom travelled with other destinations.

Introduction

Gay men as well as other males that have intercourse with males (MSM) carry a disproportional burden of HIV disease in European countries. 1 every year into the duration 2010–2014, an average of five Swedish MSM contracted HIV while going to Germany as well as in 2017, on typical one Swedish MSM per week reported having contracted gonorrhoea in Germany (supply: Public wellness Agency of Sweden, Sminet database). The HIV prevalence in Germany and Sweden varies, while not drastically. It really is predicted at 5.0percent–7.5% in MSM and below 0.2% one of the total adult populace in Germany 2 in comparison with 3percent–6% in MSM and 0.07% into the total adult populace in Sweden. 3 The Joint un Programme on HIV/AIDS information declare that Germany includes a high concentration of MSM in larger towns. This may be as a result of meeting that is MSM-oriented, such as for instance saunas and groups, which offer high amounts of intimate lovers. 2 Some MSM in Berlin describe the town once the ‘HIV capital of Europe’. The participants estimated that between 20% and 90% of all MSM living in Berlin were HIV positive in one study. 4 Despite such information, there aren’t any programmes that are state-sponsored circulation of condoms. Other condom that is free tasks occur but there is however nevertheless insufficient option of condoms making them tough to access at sex venues. 4 The sexual wellness requirements regarding the homosexual community is certainly caused by catered for by non-governmental organisations. 5

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV is a impressive device for avoidance of HIV. 6 7 during the time of the information collection, PrEP ended up being authorized into the European Union but no programmes taken care of immediately the PrEP requirements of MSM in Sweden 8 or Germany. 9

Studies on Swedish MSM’s health that is sexual been carried out on a typical foundation for the past ten years but intimate practice while travelling has just been explored in more detail into the newest Swedish nationwide study (data gathered 2013). 10 Barebacking (defined in those studies as pre-agreed, condomless anal sex) was more prevalent in Sweden in contrast to abroad nudelivemobile (31% weighed against 17%) but team sex had been practised more frequently abroad compared to Sweden. 10 probably the most countries that are common have experienced sex while travelling abroad had been Germany.

Travelling is an essential part of numerous gay men’s life style and increased globalisation and low priced flight tickets facilitate that life style. 11 on the final ten years, a few efforts were made to review intercourse and travel among MSM with contradictory results. Lots of the identified studies derive from studies. Present studies on travelling MSM address subjects such as for example examining danger pages, 12 13 prevalence of condomless anal sex as well as other high-risk intimate techniques, 14–18 HIV knowledge and HIV preventive needs 19 20 and sexual identification. 21 22 a few studies provide knowledge on risk behavior, and medication usage while away. 23–25 Zablotska et al 15 point out that ‘little is well known concerning the travel-associated high-risk intimate methods in community-based examples of homosexual males, nor regarding the factors that shape these practices’. There was a need for further studies describing the objective of travel for MSM and characteristics that are‘context-related lead MSM to be sexually active while being abroad, 14 perhaps maybe maybe not least to create interventions that target this team.