title: Human immunodeficiency virus testing and risk behaviors among young men who have sex with men in Los Angeles County.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and risk behaviors in a longitudinal sample of young men who have sex with men (YMSM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data came from the Healthy Young Men's study, comprising five waves of nonexperimental survey data collection every 6 months between February 2005 and January 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited from public venues in Los Angeles County in which YMSM spend time.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 526 participants (24% African-American, 37% white, 39% Latino; mean age, 20.14 years; range, 18?24 years) were enrolled. Retention was 93%.
  
  
  METHODS
  Testing recency was assessed with a four-point ordinal scale. HIV risk behaviors were operationalized as binary measures of unprotected anal intercourse with multiple partners or partners with unknown or discordant serostatus, club drug use, and illicit drug use over the prior 3 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlations, Cochran's Q tests, and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed in SPSS. Analyses included all data available at each wave.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant correlations emerged between testing recency and sex risk at any wave. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant positive, linear change in HIV testing recency over time, but no significant changes emerged for sex risk or drug use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although participation in testing increased, there was no corresponding change in HIV risk behavior. Initiatives may need to target risk behavior separately and specifically to reduce these behaviors among YMSM.
authors.affiliation: Community, Health Outcomes, and Intervention Research, Saban Research Institute, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, California 90028, USA. sschrager@chla.usc.edu
authors.forename: Sheree M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schrager
authors.forename: Carolyn F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Michele D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kipke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D013997:Time Factors; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs