Using Google Earth to identify and characterize the sexual, social and residential/home neighborhoods of men who have sex with men in New York City

Background: As part of a study investigating whether and how urban neighborhood-level characteristics relate to sexual risk behaviors, substance use and depression among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) living in New York City, Google Earth was used to collect geographical data on residential, social and sexual networks. Methods: First, we conducted in-depth interviews to assess the feasibility of asking men to identify and define three neighborhood types, asking men to pinpoint neighborhood locations on a map and draw boundaries around each neighborhood. Second, as part of a survey of a venue-based sample, men were asked to identify and enter, with the help of study staff, these locations directly into Google Earth and then describe the boundaries of each neighborhood. These data were then geocoded, providing maps of the size, location and function of the urban spaces within which MSM live their lives. Findings: In the interviews (N=20) we found that that the concept of residential, social and sexual neighborhoods resonated with participants, with men offering accounts of the impact of neighborhoods on the sexual identity- and orientation-related process. In the survey phase we have collected over 288 geographical data points for the 72 participants recruited to date. Discussion: This method offers an innovative, acceptable and efficient method for collecting primary geographic data required to better understand the interactions among behaviors and neighborhoods. Results will provide important insights for the development of geographically specific and norms-based health outreach and programming.