The Relationship Between HIV Risk, High-Risk Behavior, Religiosity, and Spirituality Among Black Men Who Have Sex...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Blacks in the USA, particularly Black men who have sex with men (MSM), exhibit strong religious and spiritual affiliations.
• Rising incidence rates of HIV and STDs persist among Black MSM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the association between religiosity, spirituality, and high-risk behaviors (substance use, sexual behaviors) among Black MSM.
• To examine correlations between religiosity, spirituality, and HIV/STD infection status in this population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the CDC Brothers y Hermanos (ByHS) project, including 1141 Black MSM.
• Compiled religiosity and spirituality indices from ByHS data.
• Analyzed associations between these indices and substance use, sexual behaviors, HIV, and STD infection status.

Main Results:

• Religiosity was significantly associated with HIV infection and the use of cocaine, crack, and poppers, and marginally with ecstasy use.
• Spirituality showed significant associations with HIV infection, STD infection, alcohol use, and crack use.
• Both religiosity and spirituality demonstrated links to specific high-risk behaviors and infection statuses.

Conclusions:

• Religiosity and spirituality are significantly associated with high-risk behaviors and infection status among Black MSM.
• Future HIV prevention models targeting Black MSM should integrate the roles of religiosity and spirituality.
• Incorporating these psychosocial factors may enhance the efficacy of risk reduction interventions for Black MSM.