Evaluation of Sociodemographic and Behavioral Characteristics of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Puerto Rico among National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Cycles

Background: Locally, Men who have sex with men (MSM) is the only group in which HIV incidence has been steadily increasing. Studies have reported that MSM are engaging in high-risk behaviors. Due to the availability of behavioral surveillance systems, opportunities for evaluating behavioral/sociodemographic changes are important in order to target prevention efforts for this community.

Objectives: This study aims to examine changes among cycles in sociodemographic and behavioral factors that might put Puerto Rico (PR) MSM at higher risk of HIV infection.

Methods: Data from the 2008 and 2011 PR National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) MSM was used. Venue-based sampling was employed. Frequencies for sociodemographical and behavioral factors were calculated using chi-square tests.

Results: Mean age for 2011 (31.51±10.65) was significantly higher than in 2008 (29.43±8.83) (p=0.0116). A significant decrease in income was observed in 2011 (p<0.0001). Recruitment at bars/clubs/sex venues showed a significant increase in 2011 (80.9%, 2008; 95.7%, 2011) (p<0.0001). In 2011, there was a significant increase in those who initiated sexual onset with a women at age <15 (18.5%, 2008; 30.7%, 2011) (p=0.0148). However, a marginal significant decrease (p=0.098) on participants reporting having sex with a woman in the last 12 months, was observed in 2011. Though no significance was achieved, an increase in earlier MSM sexual onset was observed in 2011 (26.8%, 2008; 33.1%, 2011) (p=0.1049).

Conclusion: Monitoring changes in behavioral/sociodemographic factors, such as trends in sexual onset, are necessary in order to maintain the system’s pertinence and explain the HIV epidemic among the PR-MSM community.