title: Differences in substance use and sexual partnering between men who have sex with men, men who have sex with men and women and transgender women.
abstract: Men who have sex with men (MSM), men who have sex with men and women (MSM/W) and transgender women (TGW) remain the populations most severely and disproportionately impacted upon by HIV in Los Angeles County. Baseline data from community-based HIV-prevention programmes serving these populations were analysed to explore differences in demographic characteristics, substance use and sexual partnering between the three groups. Despite high HIV prevalence overall (MSM 34.7% versus MSM/W 16.1% versus TGW 21.9%, p < .001), there were striking differences in risk behaviours. Higher rates of homelessness were reported by MSM/W compared to MSM and TGW. Lower rates of education and less substance use were reported by TGW (62.2%), compared to MSM (79.7%) and MSM/W (92.6%). A much higher number of male sexual exchange partners were reported by TGW (MSM 1.04 [SD = 4.8] versus MSM/W 1.54 [SD = 10.3] versus TGW 12.37 [SD = 23.9], p < .001). Findings support the need for HIV-prevention interventions that specifically address the unique risk patterns among each population in order to curb HIV acquisition and transmission.
authors: Office of AIDS Programs & Policy, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS Programs & Policy, Los Angeles, California, USA. jrohde@ph.lacounty.gov
authors: Jane Rohde
authors: JR
authors: Bowers
authors: Catherine M
authors: CM
authors: Branson
authors: Jesse
authors: J
authors: Fletcher
authors: Cathy J
authors: CJ
authors: Reback
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality; D005260:Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014189:Transsexualism; D055815:Young Adult