title: Medical treatment for men who have sex with men and are living with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: This study focuses on a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV/AIDS in a south Florida community. The study uses a mixed-method, quantitative, and qualitative research design. The purpose of the study was to identify individual and service system characteristics that impact access, retention, and adherence to an HIV/AIDS medical treatment regimen. The study identified many men who were not likely to seek treatment after their initial HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Compared with the general population living with HIV/AIDS in the same south Florida community many of these men were less likely to maintain a regimen of medical care for their HIV/AIDS. The study indicated that the following issues affected medical treatment and treatment adherence: treatment readiness, presence of support networks, availability of "MSM-friendly" health providers, and the cultural competency of substance abuse providers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Sciences, Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL 33054, USA. beckermana@gmail.com
authors.forename: Adela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beckerman
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fontana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005431:Florida; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017741:Survivors; D055815:Young Adult