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Risk Behaviors and Testing History of African American MSM: Implications for Prevention
Donna Hubbard McCree1, Wayne Johnson1, Chanza Baytop2
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE MS D-21, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
Objectives:
Knowledge of HIV status is an important step in prevention efforts especially for at risk populations like MSM. CDC recommends that MSM be tested at least annually. There is a limited information on the demographics and risk behaviors of MSM who never tested or test infrequently. This study examined the demographic characteristics, risk behaviors, and HIV status of African American MSM who reported never previously testing for HIV, testing > 12 months prior, or testing within the last 12 months from a testing evaluation study in Washington, D.C.
Methods:
Eligibility requirements were: 18-64 years old; Black/African American; biologically male; and self-reported oral and/or anal sex with a man in the past six months. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used.
Results:
Men who never tested had greater odds of being 25-34 years old, identifying as bisexual or heterosexual and reporting condomless sex with female and male partners. In the multivariate model, men who never tested or tested > 12 months prior to the study had a greater likelihood of having a BS degree, and being age 35 or over. Being newly identified as HIV-positive was associated with never testing and testing > 12 months prior, but was significant in the multivariate model only for never testing.
Conclusion:
Results suggest prevention strategies should target risk behaviors rather than orientation and engage older men. Future studies should identify factors associated with risky sexual behaviors for men who never test or test infrequently in order to inform prevention interventions.
Insights
African American men who have sex with men (MSM) who delay or avoid HIV testing often engage in higher-risk behaviors. Prevention efforts should focus on these behaviors and older age groups.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- HIV Prevention
Background:
- Knowledge of HIV status is crucial for prevention, particularly among at-risk populations like men who have sex with men (MSM).
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual HIV testing for MSM.
- Limited data exists on the demographics and risk behaviors of MSM who are never tested or test infrequently.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the demographic characteristics, risk behaviors, and HIV status of African American MSM based on their HIV testing frequency.
- To identify differences between MSM who have never tested, tested infrequently (>12 months prior), or tested recently (within 12 months).
Main Methods:
- Study included African American men aged 18-64 who reported recent sexual activity with men.
- Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were employed to analyze the data.
- Participants were categorized based on HIV testing history: never tested, tested >12 months prior, or tested within 12 months.
Main Results:
- Men who never tested were more likely to be 25-34 years old, identify as bisexual or heterosexual, and engage in condomless sex with male and female partners.
- Never testing or infrequent testing (>12 months prior) was associated with higher education (BS degree) and older age (35+).
- Newly diagnosed HIV-positive status was linked to never testing and infrequent testing, with 'never testing' being a significant independent predictor in the multivariate model.
Conclusions:
- Prevention strategies for HIV among MSM should prioritize targeting specific risk behaviors and engaging older men.
- Further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to risky sexual behaviors in men who never or infrequently test for HIV to inform effective interventions.
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