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20 November 2017

Honesty ‘is best HIV policy’ for gay couples

Times Live

If men in same-sex relationships could talk more honestly about additional sexual partners, they would be less at risk of contracting HIV, a new Southern Africa study reveals.

This is one conclusion from the Human Sciences Research Council’s study.

South African researchers, with the support of two US universities, the Gay and Lesbian Network and Namibian NGO Positive Vibes, conducted the first study on male gay couples in the region.

Study project leader Zaynab Essack said in the survey of 220 people, 78% of men reported being in monogamous unions.

She said it was known overseas that gay men often had “explicit” agreements about having outside partners and deciding how to use protection with additional partners.

This lowers their risk of HIV.

Essack said: “Having a conversation means we are both in agreement and we know whether we are protected or not.”

To read the full article online click here

Times Live