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Abstract #149996

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Karyn K. Heavner, MSPH¹, James Tesoriero, PhD², Haven Battles, PhD³, Benjamin Shaw, PhD⁴, Kristi McClamroch, PhD¹, and Guthrie S. Birkhead, MD, MPH⁵. (1) Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, School of Public Health, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, 518-402-6809, karynkh@aol.com, (2) New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, State of New York Department of Health, Riverview Center, 5th floor, 150 Broadway, Menands, NY 12204, (3) AIDS Institute, Office of Program Evaluation and Research, New York State Department of Health, Riverview Center, 150 Broadway, Suite 516, Menands, NY 12204, (4) Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, University at Albany, School of Public Health, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, (5) Deputy Commissioner, Office of Public Health, NYS Department of Health, Corning Tower, 14th floor, ESP, Albany, NY 12237

Background/Objectives: HIV research and prevention activities often target gay bar patrons. Gay bars are typically analyzed as homogeneous venues. This study describes variation between gay bars and the impact of enrollment in different bars on the estimated prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among MSM.

Methods: MSM were interviewed in 12 traditional gay bars (frequented mainly for socialization), 8 mixed bars (with heterosexual and gay/bisexual patrons), 7 cruising/hustler bars (where MSM seek sex partners) and one drag bar (known for male/female impersonators) in Upstate New York (n=594) (2000-2004). MSM's characteristics and the prevalence of UAI in different bars were compared using chi-square, Fisher's exact tests and poisson regression.

Results: Cruising/hustler bar patrons were more likely to be MSM of color (p<0.0001) and HIV positive (p=0.0034). Mixed bar patrons were more likely to be younger (p=0.0022) and bisexual (p=0.0088). The prevalence of UAI was highest in cruising/hustler bars (71.8%) and lowest in traditional gay bars (51.4%, p=0.0114). However, 4 mixed and 6 traditional gay bars were high risk (>65% had UAI). In the multivariable regression analysis, cruising/hustler bar patrons were slightly more likely to have UAI than traditional gay bar patrons (adjusted prevalence risk ratio: 1.3, 95% CI: 0.9-1.9).

Discussion: Enrolling MSM in very few bars or one type of bar does not produce a representative sample. Characteristics of MSM in one bar are not generalizable to patrons of other bars of the same type. Collecting contextual information about each bar may minimize misclassification and selection bias and guide prevention efforts.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the potential for misclassification bias when categorizing gay bars;
• Discuss the potential for selection bias to occur in venue-based samples of MSM; and
• Describe strategies to efficiently enroll high risk MSM.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Audio (mp3) recording
• Slides (pdf) or Handout