Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Seth Welles, ScD, PhD¹, Anita Raj, PhD², M. Christina Santana, MPH², and C. Robert Horsburgh, MD¹. (1) Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, T3E, Boston, MA 02118, 617) 638-5471, slwelles@bu.edu, (2) Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St., T2W, Boston, MA 02118

Background: We report preliminary findings of social, economic, and behavioral differences among MSM and non-MSM in a sample of men attending five Boston healthcare clinics.

Methods: We recruited 539 B/AA men having at least two sex partners in the past year. MSM were identified by report of anal or oral sex with men. Unsafe sexual intercourse (USI) was defined as unprotected anal/vaginal intercourse in a committed relationship where one partner is HIV serodiscordant or of unknown infection status, or any unprotected intercourse with secondary partners.

Results: 19.3% of our clinic sample (104/539) was MSM. Participants were mature (median age 35), and of low educational/socioeconomic status (28% with less than a high school education, 55% with household income <$5,000, 63% unemployed). Compared with non-MSM, MSM were 4.1 times more likely to be HIV-infected and reported more total (male and female) partners during the past year (p<0.0001). Multiple regression indicated no associations of being MSM with USI in the past 90 days, having had an STD in the past 6 months, or ever being diagnosed with an STD. However, being older, having a total sex partner number/yr >= 7, HIV infection status, and not completing high school were significantly associated with sexual risk among all participants.

Conclusions: Significant numbers of sexually active B/AA men report MSM behaviors. However, being MSM per se was not associated with increased HIV/STD risk. Rather, not been tested for HIV or being HIV-positive, having little education, and high sex partner numbers were associated with USI/STD risk.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize demographic and behavioral similarities among MSM and non-MSM populations of sexually active black and African-American men
• Identify demographics and risk behaviors which are associated with increased HIV and STD risk, irrespective of gender of sexual partners among black and African-American men.
• Appreciate how group labels, such as MSM, are often imperfect proxies for one or more risk behaviors which are associated with HIV/STD risk. 3.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Risk Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered