Knowledge and behaviour of men who have sex with men towards HIV/AIDS in the French Community of Belgium

Aims: To understand the epidemiological situation within Me group of men having sex with men by presenting the main results of a study on knowledge and behaviour of this target group in the French Community of Belgium. Methods: Survey by self-administered questionnaires carried out in 2004 and 2005 in the French Community of Belgium and disseminated through gay commercial and associative organisms as well as through the Internet. Results: 942 questionnaires were collected. The majority of respondents have a high level of education, define themselves as homosexuals and are sexually active. The majority have had more than one partner in the last year. They have a good knowledge of ways of transmission and new treatments. Recourse to HIV testing and the level of protection during anal intercourse are both high. Nevertheless, a quarter of respondents admit to have had at least one unprotected anal intercourse in the last year with a partner whose HIV status is unknown or different from their own. HIV posidve men, and men who are not sure about their HIV status, are more likely to admit unprotected anal intercourses. Conclusions: Targeted prevention interventions are still necessary in Me group of men having sex with men, focusing on HIV positive men