Resilience, syndemic factors, and serosorting behaviors among HIV-positive and HIV-negative substance-using MSM.
Serosorting is commonly employed by MSM to reduce HIV risk. We hypothesize that MSM perceive serosorting to be effective, and that serosorting is predicted by resilience and inversely related to syndemic characteristics. Surveys included 504 substance-using MSM. Logistic regression models examined syndemic and resilience predictors of serosorting, separately by serostatus. For HIV-positive men, positive coping behaviors (P = .015) and coping self-efficacy (P = .014) predicted higher odds, and cognitive escape behaviors (P = .003) lower odds, of serosorting. For HIV-negative men, social engagement (P = .03) and coping self-efficacy (P = .01) predicted higher odds, and severe mental distress (P = .001), victimization history (P = .007) and cognitive escape behaviors (P = .006) lower odds, of serosorting. HIV-negative serosorters reported lower perceptions of risk for infection than non-serosorters (P < .000). Although high risk HIV-negative men may perceive serosorting to be effective, their high rates of UAI and partner change render this an ineffective risk reduction approach. Relevant public health messages are urgently needed.
Nova Southeastern University Research Center, 2121 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 430, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA. steven.kurtz@nova.edu
Steven P
SP
Kurtz
Mance E
ME
Buttram
Hilary L
HL
Surratt
Ronald D
RD
Stall
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D059147:HIV Serosorting / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012306:Risk; D020377:Self Efficacy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders