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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

M. Christina Santana, MPH¹, Jay G. Silverman, PhD², Anita Raj, PhD¹, Seth Welles, ScD, PhD³, and C. Robert Horsburgh, MD³. (1) Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St., T2W, Boston, MA 02118, 617-414-1378, csantana@bu.edu, (2) Division of Public Health Practice/Department of Society, Human Development & Health, Harvard University, 677 Huntington Ave., Kresge 705, Boston, MA 02115, (3) Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, T3E, Boston, MA 02118

Objective: To assess whether Black men reporting greater racial discrimination were more likely to report binge drinking, illicit drug use, and sexual risk behaviors related to substance use.

Methods: Black men (N=700) age 18-65 years and reporting sex with 2 or more partners in the past year are being recruited from community health centers and clinics within Boston neighborhoods characterized by high rates of substance abuse, violence and STD/HIV. Participants are being surveyed via computer on their sexual risk, substance use behaviors, and related risk factors. Preliminary findings (n=539) are presented. Chi-square analyses were used to assess associations between having experienced racial discrimination (based on the Perceived Racism Scale) and past 30 day binge drinking and illicit drug use, past 6 month unprotected sex subsequent to binge drinking and drug use, and past 6 months sex trade.

Results: Over half of the sample (53%) reported recent drug use; 38% reported recent binge drinking; 27% reported binge drinking or drug use prior to unprotected sex; and 10% had sold sex for drugs or money. Chi-square analyses demonstrated that those reporting greater racial discrimination were significantly more likely to report illicit drug use (÷2=57.7, df=28,1; p=.01), but not binge alcohol use, or risky sex associated with substance use.

Conclusion: Discrimination may play a role in Black men's drug use behaviors, but does not appear to be linked to their binge alcohol use or related risky sex. More research is needed to understand the link between discrimination and drug use among Black men.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify substance use and related sexual risks among sexually active Black men recruited from urban community health center and primary care and urgent care clinics.
• 2. To determine whether greater experiences of racial discrimination are linked with increased use of drugs and alcohol as well as engagement in risky sexual activities associated with substance use.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation