Experiences of Anti-Homosexual Attitudes and Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in the South

PURPOSE:

In 2012, Jackson, Mississippi, had the third highest incidence rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among young Black men who have sex with men (MSM). The goal of this qualitative study (the initial phase of an HIV prevention clinical trial) was to explore how cultural norms regarding anti-homosexual attitudes interfere with the safe sex practices and relationship norms of young Black MSM in Mississippi.

METHODS:

Nine focus groups (N = 54) were conducted with young Black MSM aged 18-29. Participants were recruited through medical providers at local sexually transmitted infection clinics and through community organizers at local LGBT outreach programs. The data were analyzed through the use of grounded theory, multiple coders for consistency and intercoder reliability, and a qualitative data analysis software.

RESULTS:

Three major themes were identified during the analysis: (1) resiliency and condom use, (2) inconsistent condom use among closeted young Black MSM, and (3) intimate partner violence (IPV) among closeted young Black MSM. Black MSM in Mississippi continue to be highly stigmatized within their social networks (i.e., families, sexual partners, and community).

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings suggest that cultural and community norms regarding anti-homosexual attitudes may be a barrier to the practices of safe sex and a contributing factor to IPV among young Black MSM. There is a need for tailored interventions that address these cultural norms and establish social and community support for young Black MSM in Mississippi.

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By:  Geter A1, Ricks JM2, McGladrey M1, Crosby RA1, Mena LA3, Ottmar JM1.

• 1 Department of Health Behavior, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
• 2 Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia .
• 3 Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.
• LGBT Health. 2016 Feb 17.  

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It Is Complicated: Sexual Partner Characteristic Profiles & Sexually Transmitted Infection Rates within a Predominantly African American Population in Mississippi

Mississippi has among the highest prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. Understanding sexual networks can provide insight into risk factors for transmission and guide prevention interventions.

Participants included 1437 primarily African American (95%) adults presenting for care at an STI clinic in Jackson, Mississippi. Latent class analysis identified underlying population subgroups with unique patterns of response on a comprehensive set of 14 sexual partner variables, such as living with or having a child with a partner, partner dependence and trust, 1-time sexual encounters, multiple main partners, substance use, sexual concurrency, and incarceration. Classes were compared on participant age, sex, sexual orientation, public assistance, lifetime partners, relationship status, and self-reported past-year STI.

Three classes emerged. Class 1 (n = 746) participants were less dependent on partners and less likely to live with or have a child with a partner. Class 2 participants (n = 427) endorsed multiple STI risk factors, including partner incarceration, 6 or more lifetime partners, sexual concurrency, 1-time sexual encounters, and substance use at last sex. Class 3 participants (n = 226) were more likely to be in dependent, committed relationships with children. Class 2 had a higher proportion of self-report past-year STIs (36.7%) compared with classes 1 (26.6%) and 3 (26.1%).

Certain partner factors such as incarceration, substance use, and concurrency may contribute to increased STI risk. Partner factors may be useful proxies for STI risks and could be useful questions to include in screening questionnaires in clinical settings.

Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/hrXAkw

By: Alexander J1, Rose J, Dierker L, Chan PA, MacCarthy S, Simmons D, Mena L, Nunn A.

• 1From the *Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT; †Division of Infectious Diseases, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI; ‡Program on Global Health and Human Rights, Institute for Global Health, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; §Jackson State University, Jackson, MS; and ¶Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.  

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