Impact of social support on newly-diagnosed HIV infection among Black and Latino MSM

BACKGROUND: Black and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be the U.S. populations at highest risk for HIV infection. For MSM of color, positive resources such as social support may afford protection from HIV risk. We examined social and demographic factors related to higher levels of social support, as well as the relationship between social support and newly diagnosed HIV infection.

METHODS: 2235 Black and Latino MSM were recruited through Respondent Driven Sampling in three cities (540 Black MSM in Philadelphia, 563 Latino MSM in Los Angeles, and 614 Black MSM and 516 Latino MSM in New York). Participants completed an ACASI survey and a rapid HIV test. 38.5% of participants self-reported being HIV-positive. This analysis focuses on 1369 MSM who reported being HIV-negative or of unknown status and compares the level of social support of men who were newly diagnosed HIV positive (through the study's HIV test) with that of men who tested negative on the study test. Social support was measured using a five-item scale (alpha = .80). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of social support on being newly diagnosed HIV-positive, controlling for race/ethnicity, age, sexual identity and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI).

RESULTS: Participants were age 18-94 (mean=34.8); 70.7% reported annual income <$0,000; 22.2% did not complete high school and 29.3% completed education beyond high school. 10.0% identified as heterosexual, 33.6% bisexual, and 56.3% gay. Black men reported lower levels of social support, compared to Latino men (p<.001). Younger men reported receiving more social support than older men(p<.001); gay men had more support than bisexual or straight men (p<.001). 7.2% tested HIV-positive on the study's rapid test and were identified as newly diagnosed. Newly diagnosed men reported lower social support than men who tested negative (p<.001). Controlling for race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and UAI, low social support had a significant effect on being newly diagnosed HIV-positive (Odds Ratio = .728, p<.02).

CONCLUSIONS: Social support may help men protect themselves from HIV infection. Interventions should aim to reach MSM who have low social support and provide` networks that promote healthy behaviors.