184979 HIV Risk among Latino Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (YMSM)

Monday, October 27, 2008: 5:30 PM

Michele D. Kipke, PhD , Division of Research on Children, Youth and Families, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Carolyn F. Wong, Ph D , Community, Health Outcomes, and Intervention Research, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
George Weiss , Community, Health Outcomes, and Intervention Research, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Sheree M. Schrager, PhD , Division of Research on Children, Youth and Families, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
     
Background: While rates of HIV remain high among Latino YMSM, little research has examined the individual, familial, and social factors that put Latino YMSM at increased risk.

Methods: In 2004, the Healthy Young Men's Study was launched in Los Angeles, CA to longitudinally track a cohort of 526 YMSM, ages 18-24, recruited using a venue-based probability sampling design and stratified by race/ethnicity (White, African-American, Latino of Mexican descent). Racial/ethnic differences in psychosocial and socio-demographic risk factors were explored to inform the development of multivariate models that examined risk factors unique to our Latino respondents.

Results: Latino (n=205) respondents were significantly different from the Whites and African-Americans with respect to socio-demographic variables (e.g., immigration, access to health care, childhood financial hardship), and other life experiences (e.g. discrimination, stressful life events). They reported similarly high rates of illicit drug use (25%) and unprotected anal sex (UAI) (32%), but were significantly more likely to report binge use of alcohol. Multivariate analyses performed with the Latino cohort revealed that access to medical care was significantly associated with recent drug use, while having a greater number of friends involved in risky behaviors was significantly associated with recent drug use and frequent/binge alcohol use. Risk factors for UAI included being in a psychologically abusive intimate relationship and a greater number of stressful life events.

Conclusions: Findings from the current study illustrate some of the unique experiences and risk profiles of Latino YMSM. These and other findings, as well as prevention and policy-related implications will be presented.

Learning Objectives:
1. Rates of risk behaviors and predictors of this risk among Latino YMSM in Los Angeles, CA; 2. Social ecological theory of development and risk; and 3. Risk associated with the developmental period now referred to as “emerging adulthood.”

Keywords: Latino, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Mr. Weiss’ professional experience includes community organizing, program development and implementation, and research. Currently, he is the Project Coordinator for the Healthy Young Men’s Study. He played an active role in developing and overseeing the HYM sampling protocols, training and managing field staff and volunteers. He conducts quantitative and qualitative interviews and participates in analysis. He and his team were successful in recruiting 526 YMSM from Gay venues across one year. He has developed and maintains relationships with leaders in the Ball and House communities in Los Angeles. Mr. Weiss has coordinated a number of research and evaluation projects for Childrens Hospital that each integrated meaningful community participation including: overseeing the West Hollywood Intervention study site for CITY Project, and conducing a spatial analyses of risk and vulnerability for youth in Los Angeles County for the Adolescent Trials Network. Through these partnerships, he has gained insight into the strengths and needs of the service community targeting LGBTQ youth throughout the LA area. He has a strong background in community organizing with YMSM and in developing and executing social marketing strategies. His principal focus has been on integrating MSM communities into meaningful intervention strategies that are culturally appropriate.
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.

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