HIV Risk and Sexual Behavior Among Bisexual Men
Summary
Bisexual men—commonly defined as those who engage in sexual relations with both men and women—occupy a pivotal position in the global dynamics of HIV transmission. Epidemiological evidence suggests that this group often experiences HIV prevalence rates that fall between those of men who have sex exclusively with men and those who have sex exclusively with women. Patterns of sexual behaviour among bisexual men are heterogeneous: some maintain concurrent partnerships across gender lines, while others alternate between male and female partners over time. Inconsistent condom use, particularly with female partners, compounds transmission risks, and is influenced by factors such as recent migration, multiple male partnerships and limited awareness of biomedical prevention options. Psychosocial dimensions—including gender role conflict, internalised stigma and secrecy about sexual preferences—further shape care-seeking behaviours, testing uptake and treatment adherence. Structural barriers such as unstable housing, economic insecurity and healthcare discrimination exacerbate vulnerability, especially in marginalised communities. A combination of tailored behavioural interventions, risk-prediction tools and culturally sensitive support structures has emerged as essential to curbing new infections among bisexual men and their partners of any gender.
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HIV Risk and Sexual Behavior Among Bisexual Men publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in hiv risk and sexual behavior among bisexual men across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Men who have sex with men and women (MSMW): Individuals who engage in sexual activity with partners of both genders, regardless of self-identification.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): A short course of antiretroviral medication taken after potential HIV exposure to prevent infection.
Risk score: A composite index derived from multiple predictors to estimate an individual’s probability of a specified health outcome.
Hypermasculinity: A pattern of attitudes that emphasises dominance, stoicism and restricted emotional expression in men.
Internalised bi/homophobia: The internal acceptance of negative societal attitudes towards bisexual or homosexual orientations.
References
- Development and validation of a risk score for predicting inconsistent condom use with women among men who have sex with men and women. BMC Public Health (2023).
- HIV Infection and Sexual Risk among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women (MSMW): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE (2014).
- Measuring Gender Role Conflict, Internalized Stigma, and Racial and Sexual Identity in Behaviorally Bisexual Black Men. Archives of Sexual Behavior (2021).
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