271337 Racial disparities in HIV infection among venue-recruited MSM in Baltimore, Maryland

Monday, October 29, 2012

Danielle German, PhD, MPH , Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Sabriya Linton, MPH , Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Christine Powell, MPH, DrPH Candidate , School of Community Health And Policy, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Colin Flynn , Ideha, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygeine, Baltimore, MD
Background: In 2008, HIV behavioral surveillance confirmed previous reports of high HIV infection, and racial disparities among venue-recruited men who have sex with men (MSM) in Baltimore. This study sought to examine racial disparities in HIV prevalence among a new cohort of Baltimore MSM recruited in 2011.

Method: A cross-sectional survey and HIV testing was conducted using venue-based sampling among adult MSM at MSM-identified locations as part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance project. MSM was defined as sex with a male partner in the past year. Accounting for potential clustering, bivariate and multivariate regression was used to identify characteristics associated with HIV.

Results: HIV prevalence was 42.6% overall (n=404), 47.7% among black MSM, 15.5% among non-Hispanic white MSM, and 41.7% among MSM of other race/ethnicities. Compared with non-Hispanic white MSM, black MSM were 5.0 times as likely to be HIV-positive (95% C.I.: 2.4-10.5). Racial differences by age, homelessness, education, incarceration, income, employment, and HIV testing did not fully account for racial differences in HIV infection. In multivariate analysis, HIV infection was significantly associated with race/ethnicity, age, having only male partners, and seeing a doctor in the past year.

Conclusion: Baltimore continues to have a substantial HIV epidemic among MSM, with striking racial disparities. Enhanced HIV testing services and prevention efforts are critically needed. This study also highlights a need for attention to additional social and health disparities among MSM.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related education
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, attendees will be able to describe racial differences in HIV infection among men who have sex with men in Baltimore, Maryland

Keywords: Gay Men, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been lead scientist on multiple social and behavioral research studies related to HIV. I am currently principal investigator of the Baltimore implementation of National HIV Behavioral Surveillance.
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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