The article highlights the emergence of bareback sex, which refers to actively seeking unprotected anal intercourse, as a new phenomenon in the gay male community. This behaviour poses a significant problem for HIV prevention efforts. While the issue has been extensively discussed in the lay press, there is a lack of scientific literature on the topic. The article reviews the available literature and notes that the evidence-based literature primarily addresses relapse to unsafe sexual behaviour. The article suggests that barebacking is a unique issue that requires further exploration.
The article explores the underlying factors of bareback sexual behaviour, including previous HIV prevention efforts and their relationship to this phenomenon. The article argues that HIV prevention strategies such as condom use may have unintentionally contributed to the emergence of bareback sex. The article also notes that other factors such as social norms, peer pressure, and psychological factors may play a role in barebacking.
Finally, the article discusses the implications of bareback sex for nursing practice, research, and education. The harm reduction model is offered as a useful guide for nursing assessment and intervention. The article suggests that healthcare professionals should approach the issue non-judgmentally and provide information on the risks and benefits of different prevention strategies. The article also suggests that further research is needed to better understand the underlying factors of barebacking and develop effective prevention strategies.
