This study looked into the role kissing may play in oropharyngeal gonorrhoea transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM).
We surveyed a group of 3,677 men who have sex with men and tested them for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. The survey collected data on their number of male partners in the last 3 months. We used three distinct categories: kissing only, sex only and kissing with sex.
Kissing only and kissing with sex was shown to contribute to the spread of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, but sex only did not. The link was higher in MSM with 4 partners or more.
These data suggest that kissing may contribute to the spread of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea in MSM, irrespective of whether sex also occurs.
We also looked at seasonal variations in
- patterns of kissing
- number of sex partners among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM).
We found that from autumn to summer, the number of kissing-only and sex-only partners increased considerably among MSM. MSM reported the highest number of kissing-only and sex-only partners around summer and holiday seasons compared to other seasons. However, the number of kissing-with-sex partners remained stable across seasons.
We also studied recreational drugs used by men who have sex with men and how the different drugs affect the likelihood of kissing. Most participants reported the use of ecstasy would increase their likelihood of kissing someone.
Publications
Drug use and the influence on kissing among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men in Melbourne, Australia
Chow EPF, Ong JJ, Vodstrcil LA, Fairley CK
(2020), International Journal of STD & AIDS,
Seasonal variations in kissing and sexual activities among men who have sex with men in Melbourne, Australia: implications for seasonal STI preventions and interventions
Chow EPF, Vodstrcil L, Fairley CK
(2020), Sexual Health,
DOI: 10.1071/SH19046
Kissing may be an important and neglected risk factor for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea: a cross-section study in men who have sex with men
Chow EPF, Cornelisse VJ, Williamson DA, Priest D, Hocking JS, Bradshaw CS, Read TRH, Chen MY, Howden BP, Fairley CK
(2019), Sexually Transmitted Infections,