title: Social network predictors of disclosure of MSM behavior and HIV-positive serostatus among African American MSM in Baltimore, Maryland.
abstract: This study examined correlates of disclosure of MSM behavior and seropositive HIV status to social network members among 187 African American MSM in Baltimore, MD. 49.7% of participants were HIV-positive, 64% of their social network members (excluding male sex partners) were aware of their MSM behavior, and 71.3% were aware of their HIV-positive status. Disclosure of MSM behavior to network members was more frequent among participants who were younger, had a higher level of education, and were HIV-positive. Attributes of the social network members associated with MSM disclosure included the network member being HIV-positive, providing emotional support, socializing with the participant, and not being a female sex partner. Participants who were younger were more likely to disclose their positive HIV status. Attributes of social network members associated with disclosure of positive serostatus included the network member being older, HIV-positive, providing emotional support, loaning money, and not being a male sex partner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. clatkin@jhsph.edu
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Latkin
authors.forename: Cui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roebuck
authors.forename: Pilgrim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spikes
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patterson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D015142:Baltimore; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012944:Social Support; D014342:Truth Disclosure