title: Network analysis among HIV-infected young black men who have sex with men demonstrates high connectedness around few venues.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Network analysis is useful for understanding sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. We conducted egocentric and affiliation network analysis among HIV-infected young black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Jackson, Mississippi, area to understand networks and connectedness of this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We interviewed 22 black MSM aged 17 to 25 years diagnosed as having HIV in 2006 to 2008. Participants provided demographic and geographic information about each sex partner during the 12 months before diagnosis and identified venues where they met these partners. We created affiliation network diagrams to understand connectedness of this population and identify venues that linked participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median number of partners reported was 4 (range, 1-16); a total of 97 partners (88 of whom were male) were reported. All but 1 participant were connected through a network of venues where they had met partners during the 12 months before diagnosis. Three venues were named as places for meeting partners by 13 of 22 participants. Participants reported having partners from all regions of Mississippi and 5 other states.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV-infected young black MSM in this analysis were linked by a small number of venues. These venues should be targeted for testing and prevention interventions. The pattern of meeting sex partners in a small number of venues suggests densely connected networks that propagate infection. This pattern, in combination with sexual partnerships with persons from outside Jackson, may contribute to spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections into or out the Jackson area.
authors: Epidemic Intelligence Service and †Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. AOster@cdc.gov
authors: Alexandra M
authors: AM
authors: Oster
authors: Cyprian
authors: C
authors: Wejnert
authors: Leandro A
authors: LA
authors: Mena
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Elmore
authors: Holly
authors: H
authors: Fisher
authors: James D
authors: JD
authors: Heffelfinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008922:Mississippi / Q000453:epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D060756:Social Networking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
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