Matt G. Mutchler, PhD¹, Miguel A. Chion, MD, MPH², Leo Colemon, MA¹, and Mark A. Schuster, MD, PhD³. (1) Education, AIDS Project Los Angeles: The David Geffen Center, 611 S. Kingsley Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90005, 213.201.1522, mmutchler@apla.org, (2) Research and Evaluation Core, AIDS Project Los Angeles, 611 S. Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90005, (3) Department of Pediatrics, UCLA, Box 951752, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752

Background: HIV prevalence rates are disproportionately high among Latinos in the United States. Very little is known about HIV+ Latino men who have sex with men and women (MSMW). Methods: This study recruited a convenience sample of HIV+ MSMW at AIDS service organizations in Los Angeles County. Participants completed a cross-sectional survey during face-to-face interviews lasting 1-2 hours in 2003. Preliminary analyses of the data (N=88) were conducted using Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression to compare Latinos with non-Latinos in the following domains: sexual risk and HIV disclosure, substance use, mental health, stigma, and sexual communication. Results: 55.7% of respondents were African American, 25% Latino (Spanish and English speaking), and 19.3% white. 62.8% identified as bisexual, 27.9% gay, and 9.3% heterosexual. Latinos were more likely to have unprotected anal intercourse with their female primary sexual partners (PSPs) and less likely to disclose their HIV status to male PSPs (P<.05). Latinos were less likely to believe they can disclose their HIV status to PSPs (P<.05). Latinos were less likely to discuss safer sex with male and female PSPs before unprotected intercourse (P<.05). Latinos were more likely to report internalized homophobia and poor health outcomes (P<.05). Conclusion: Latino HIV+ MSMW report sexual behaviors that may transmit HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases to their PSPs. Their disclosure and sexual risk behaviors, safer sex communication patterns, and stigma/health experiences were different than non-Latinos. Additional findings and implications for tailoring HIV prevention interventions to the needs of HIV+ MSMW Latinos will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Describe differences in safer sex disclosure, behavioral, and communication patterns between HIV+ MSMW Latinos and non-Latinos,
• Describe the sexual risk behaviors and experiences of stigma and health disparities reported by HIV+ MSMW Latinos,
• Apply findings to the development of prevention with positives interventions targeting MSMW Latinos

Keywords: HIV Interventions, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
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