Cross-Sectional Survey Comparing HIV Risk Behaviours of Adolescent & Young Adult Men Who Have Sex with Men Only & Men Who Have Sex with Men & Women in the U.S. & Puerto Rico
OBJECTIVE:
To
examine the HIV risk behaviours of men who have sex with men only (MSMO) and
men who have sex with men and women (MSMW), aged 12-24 years, in five US cities
and in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
METHODS:
Data were
collected through four annual cross-sectional anonymous surveys at community
venues and included questions about sexual partnerships, sexual practices
including condom use and substance use. Demographic and risk profiles were
summarised for both groups.
RESULTS:
A total
of 1198 men were included in this analysis, including 565 MSMO and 633 MSMW.
There were statistically significant differences between the two groups for
many risk factors examined in multivariable models. MSMW were more likely to
identify as bisexual, be in a long-term relationship, have a history of
homelessness, have ever used marijuana, have ever been tested for HIV and to
have been tested for HIV within the past 6 months. MSMW may be more likely to
ever exchange sex for money and ever have a sexually transmitted infection than
MSMO.
CONCLUSIONS:
MSMW
were more likely to report several markers of socioeconomic vulnerability or
behaviours associated with increased risk for HIV than MSMO. MSMW contribute to
HIV prevalence in the USA, and better understanding of the risk profile of this
group is essential to understand heterosexual HIV transmission. MSMW,
particularly those who identify as bisexual or questioning, may feel
uncomfortable participating in programmes that are designed for gay-identified
men. Therefore, prevention strategies need to target distinct subgroups that
compose the population of MSM.
- 1Department of Pediatrics, All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine, St Petersburg, Florida, USA.
- 2Westat, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
- 4Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
- 5Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
No comments:
Post a Comment