Objective: Determine HIV seropositivity, history of HIV testing and their predictors, and estimate HIV incidence in a population of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in Baltimore, Maryland.
Methods: The Young Men's Survey is a cross-sectional, probability sample of YMSM aged 15-22, who frequented public venues. A questionnaire was administered and blood specimens drawn for HIV testing between 1996-1998. Stepwise logistic regression was utilized to determine predictors for HIV seropositivity and prior HIV testing. Incidence rates were calculated using time from prior, self-reported HIV negative test.
Results: There were 394 participants with complete records (40.9% African American, 45.2% white, 25.6% homosexual, 67.3% bisexual, median age of 20). Prevalence of HIV infection was 8.6%, and 62.7% reported a prior HIV test. African American (OR=15.4 ;95%CI: 3.6,66.8) and Other (OR=14.7;95%CI:2.8,77.5) ethnicity, previous STD diagnosis (OR=3.9;95%CI:1.7,8.9), and anal sex with male (OR=4.5;95%CI: 1.1,20.1) were predictive of HIV seropositivity. Predictors for prior HIV test were: anal sex with male (OR=2.5;95%CI:1.5,4.3), previous STD diagnosis (OR=2.5;95%CI:1.2,5.1), previous forced sexual experience (OR=2.1;95%CI:1.2,3.5), and increasing age [by year] (OR=1.2;95%CI:1.1,1.4). HIV incidence was estimated at 165.6 (95%CI:88.3,253.9) per 1,000 person-years with a median follow-up time of 7.3 months.
Conclusions: Prevalence of HIV infection is high (8.6%) among YMSMs, particularly African Americans and other minorities. HIV incidence estimates (165.6 per 1,000 person-years) are very high, indicating a period of substantial HIV risk behaviors. Prevention and education programs need to be further developed and tailored to YMSMs, targeting all ethnic groups and promoting routine testing.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session the participant will: 1- Understand the importance of epidemiologic measures to ascertain burden of disease in specific populations. 2- Recognize the potential of cross-sectional surveys as low-cost and timely methods of identifying new, at risk-populations that merit future attention. 3- Learn how to focus prevention and testing efforts on high-risk groups for HIV
Keywords: Youth, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.