181330 Sexual identity and the likelihood of having a health care provider among men who have sex with men

Monday, October 27, 2008: 12:30 PM

Joseph R. Merighi, PhD , School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, MA
Deborah Chassler, MSW , School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, MA
Rebekah Gowler, MSW , School of Public Health, Boston University, Somerville, MA
Hutson Inniss, BA , Tapestry Health, Florence, MA
Lena Lundgren, PhD , School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, MA
Amanda Horowitz, MSW , School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, MA
     
Objective: To describe the association between self-reported sexual identity and having a regular health care provider in men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: 257 MSM, ages 18 to 64 (M = 32.7 years), were surveyed in Massachusetts between 2003 and 2007. The sample was comprised of 49.4% Hispanics, 31.9% Whites, 16.0% African Americans, 2.0% American Indians, and 0.7% Asians. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used to test the association between sexual identity and having a regular health care provider, controlling for the participants' demographic characteristics, health insurance status, HIV/AIDS status, drug use, and level of social support. Findings: Using logistic regression modeling, MSM who identified as heterosexual, compared to those who identified as gay or bisexual, were 60% less likely to have a regular health care provider. Further, MSM who had health insurance were 10 times more likely to have a health care provider; MSM who had used illegal drugs in the past 30 days were 54% less likely to have a health care provider; and MSM who had more social support were 32% more likely to have a health care provider. Conclusion: These findings underscore the influence of sexual identity, illegal drug use, and social support on health care provider use in MSM. Interventions are needed to increase health care provider access among MSM, especially those who do not identify as gay or bisexual.

Learning Objectives:
1) Identify key factors associated with MSM having a regular health care provider. 2) Articulate how sexual identity affects the likelihood that MSM have a health care provider. 3) Discuss implications for service delivery and access given the association between sexual identity and having a regular health care provider.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present this study in my role as Research Assistant at the Center for Addictions Research and Services (CARS) at the Boston University School of Social Work, the contract evaluator for this project. At CARS, I assist with all aspects of the evaluation for multiple, federally funded grant projects. My duties include data entry and management, analysis, writing of reports and journal articles, conducting trainings, and giving presentations. My familiarity with this project is good as are my connections to the outreach staff and service agency that carried out the work. In addition, I just received my MSW from the School of Social Work at Boston University with a macro focus on policy and research. I am currently a year and a half away from completing my MPH also at BU.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.

See more of: Cultural Considerations for Reducing HIV Among Diverse Communities of Men Who Have Sex With Men
See more of: HIV/AIDS