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This is something that's more prominent in the US I think but, yes, HIV +ve men will sometimes actively seek out other HIV +ve men to have unprotected sex.
I'd question the demographic of the study as to which gay men they're asking. London, Brighton and manchester have very well defined gay scenes with most gay men living and frequenting the scene avidly. I'm not accusing or stereotyping, but I think it's more likely that, gay men will practice more risky sexual acts in these areas due to the scene than say in other areas.
I think it's completely ignorant of people to have unprotected sex, unless in the circumstances where you're with a partner for a long period of time, are strictly monogamous and aware of HIV status. As well as using common sense.
As far as I understand the methodology for this study they deliberately picked these areas for good reason.
Firstly they were trying to see the extent where gay men who're positive were having unprotected men who're positive. Key cities with well known gay communities were a good place to find men who might be engaging in risky sex.
Secondly they wanted to survey men about their habits and also test them to see if they were positive. Any reputable survey of this kind takes ages to complete so it makes more sense to go to a community who'll be more able and willing to answer your research questions (as well as being more identifiable).
From these groups you can conclude that if there's a problem in risk-taking behaviour in places with an established gay scene there will be even higher risks for those who're not out as gay or who are not accessing services plus testing/treatment.
You're right about positive men having sex with other positive men - it's common in the UK too (as this study indicates).
The reasons for HIV positive men not using protection include a mistaken belief that sleeping with other positive guys doesn't put you at any further risk health-wise (which is daft since you can still pick up other STIs and they'll affect you badly if you've an impaired immune system). It seems for many gay men who're not positive - specially younger lads - that either HIV's an infection only other people get, or that it's something you can take drugs for and so not too much to worry about.
This study is focusing on a specific risk group of people, but it's worth noting that rates of STIs are spreading amongst young people regardless of sexuality as people aren't using condoms.
Although there are treatments for HIV there is still no cure. We can all do our bit by ensuring we use a condom for sex and if we're concerned we may have an STI to get tested.
I wonder if this research could lead to a backlash against gay men, or encourage the media to overlook the more widespread problem of people not being responsible for their sexual health.
There will be a backlash. People will think that all gay men adopt such sexual behaviour. What worries me most is that the general public will think that only gays are at risk and therefore will not use any protection. But there again you can manipulate figures. I can't remember wher I read it but over 63% of HIV positives are heterosexual and it is increasing because some of them think they are not at risk.
Firstly they were trying to see the extent where gay men who're positive were having unprotected men who're positive. Key cities with well known gay communities were a good place to find men who might be engaging in risky sex.
Secondly they wanted to survey men about their habits and also test them to see if they were positive. Any reputable survey of this kind takes ages to complete so it makes more sense to go to a community who'll be more able and willing to answer your research questions (as well as being more identifiable).
I wonder if this research could lead to a backlash against gay men, or encourage the media to overlook the more widespread problem of people not being responsible for their sexual health.
This is what worries me.
Pigeon-holeing research in these well defined gay scene areas could skew the results and remove the fact that there are plenty (probably) of gay men in other areas that are sensible and that the use of condoms is more prevalent.
It's easy to say that if this is happening in these areas so we can relate it to the rest of the population, but in reality it's probably not the case and misrepresents gay people in generality.
As well as, like you point out, overlooking the actual issues underlying this and a persons own responsibility for their general and sexual health.
I just don't understand the mentality of people that will actively participate in unprotected sex without proper consideration of the risks involved.
Also I thought the rise of HIV/AIDS was on the increase in the str8 population and in decline in the gay population?
I think I read that somewhere too. Particularly in the UK, but I'm not sure about the US where HIV / Aids is still increasing in the gay population even after the hard line campaigners (which I can't remember the name of). The US government doesn't seem to want to commit too much to HIV / AIDS research though - or education...
I wonder if that statistic is still true, about AIDS rising in straights and decreasing in gay populations? It seems to change all the time.
Re infected men sleeping with other infected men. That is horrendously stupid. They are probably infected with two different strains of HIV. If they then pick up a different strain, it will react slightly differently to their meds and add extra pressure to their immune system. If they are lucky enough to have a weaker strain of HIV they are risking being infected with a stronger one that will trigger AIDS more quickly.
