Strategic planning with young African-American gay, bi, and other MSM at risk for HIV/AIDS and other health problems

In 2008, Virginia Department of Health sponsored a strategic planning project with and for young African-American gay, bi, and other MSM, 16-24 years old (YAAMSM). The project's needs assessment included a survey ( completed either on paper, or on the Internet) and in-depth interviews with YAAMSM; and a community advisory panel. The goal of 100 completed surveys from the target audience was met. More than three quarters of respondents identified as ‘gay', with smaller segments identifying as ‘bisexual', ‘transgender', and ‘straight'. About 12% were currently attending high school; and somewhat more than one quarter were currently attending college. By far, most respondents were living with parent(s) or guardian(s). About the same proportions usually found sexual partners online or through a friend. Online contacts came mainly from BGC (blackgaychat), followed by A4A (adamforadam), MySpace, and Craigslist. Less than one half used condoms most of the time. Two-thirds had not been tested for any STI in the past six months. Smoking marijuana, and smoking cigarettes were very common: both, far over half of respondents. Somewhat more than one third reported being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while having sex. About one quarter had seen a counselor in the past 30 days, and the same proportion had visited a local health department. Just over half had talked with anyone about sexual orientation. Interviews explored issues in the survey in greater depth; non-systematic review of interview comments revealed experiences of sexual violence as youth, both threatening and accepting attitudes toward the youth's sexual orientation in the family, and desire to have safe spaces for talking about sexuality, personality, spirituality, and life goals, to be healthy and successful adults. These findings informed the community panel's drafting of strategic planning goals, refined by the Virginia HIV Community Planning process.