title: An examination of associations between social norms and risky alcohol use among African American men who have sex with men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research has indicated associations between risky alcohol consumption and sexual risk behavior, which may in turn present risk of HIV acquisition or transmission. Little is known about social determinants of problematic alcohol use among African American MSM (AA MSM), a risk group disproportionately affected by HIV. The present study sought to explore associations between risky alcohol use and perceived peer norms of alcohol use among a sample of urban African American men who have sex with men (AA MSM).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was administered to 142 AA MSM in Baltimore, Maryland, recruited using active and passive methods. Risky and hazardous alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and participants self-reported descriptive and injunctive peer norms regarding frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly half reported hazardous or high risk consumption of alcohol. Perceived peer alcohol norms, both descriptive and injunctive, were associated with alcohol use, including hazardous use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings highlight the role of social factors on problematic alcohol use among AA MSM. Results indicate that AA MSM's use of alcohol is associated with their perceptions of peer alcohol use. Potential interventions could include norms-based campaigns that seek to reduce risky alcohol consumption among AA MSM as well as programs to screen and identify individuals with problematic alcohol use.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States. Electronic address: ktobin@jhsph.edu.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davey-Rothwell
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States.
authors.forename: Cui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Siconolfi
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Latkin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D012309:Risk-Taking; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: AUDIT; African American men who have sex with men; Alcohol use; Social norms