Psychosocial factors and high risk sexual behaviors in African American men who have sex with men (AAMSM): A pilot study funded by the minority HIV/AIDS research initiative

BACKGROUND: A growing literature suggests that psychosocial factors are associated with high-risk sexual behavior and less HIV prevention in white MSM. These results, however, cannot be easily generalizable to AAMSM. METHODS: The Sociological Study of Sexual Behavior and HIV/AIDS among AAMSM in the Southern US is a cross-sectional, community-based study to understand the etiology of HIV/STIs in AAMSM. A pilot study was conducted among AA MSM in Jackson, MS to gauge the attitudes of AAMSM toward the self-collection of pharyngeal, urethral, and rectal swabs for the detection of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea and the use of an audio computer-assisted survey interview (ACASI),including the specific survey questions. The ACASI included assessments to measure early life circumstances, family dynamics, traumatic lifecourse events, and psychosocial factors such as Day-to-Day Experiences of discrimination, Depression, and Life Orientation Test (i.e., optimism). Two-sample t-tests were used to examine bivariate relationships between psychosocial factors and high risk sexual behaviors. RESULTS: A total of nine AA MSM (mean age: 22.0 (3.7) years, range: 18-31 years) participated in the one-day pilot study. Experiences of perceived discrimination were directly correlated with depression scores. Participants with severe levels of depression (scores > 40) were less likely to consume alcohol prior to engaging in sex (p=.043). Participants reporting lower levels of optimism were more likely to ask their last main partner's HIV status before engaging in sexual behaviors (p=.033). CONCLUSION:Given the growing incidence of HIV/STIs among young AAMSM, consideration for psychosocial factors should be considered in the reduction and prevention of new infections.