Sexual orientation- and race-based discrimination and sexual HIV risk behavior among urban MSM.
Understanding what social factors are associated with risk of HIV acquisition and transmission among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) is a critical public health goal. Experiencing discrimination may increase risk of HIV infection among MSM. This analysis assessed relations between experiences of sexual orientation- and race-based discrimination and sexual HIV risk behavior among MSM in New York City. 1,369 MSM completed a self-administered computerized assessment of past 3-month sexual behavior, experience of social discrimination and other covariates. Regression models assessed relations between recent experience of discrimination and sexual HIV risk behavior. Mean age was 32 years; 32 % were white; 32 % Latino/Hispanic; 25 % African American/Black. Of MSM who self-reported HIV-positive or unknown status (377), 7 % (N = 27) reported having unprotected insertive anal intercourse with an HIV-negative or unknown status partner ("HIV transmission risk"). Of MSM who self-reported HIV-negative status (992), 11 % (110) reported unprotected receptive anal intercourse with an HIV-positive or unknown status partner ("HIV acquisition risk"). HIV acquisition risk was positively associated with sexual orientation-based discrimination in home or social neighborhoods, but not race-based discrimination. We observed that sexual orientation-based discrimination was associated with sexual HIV risk behavior among urban-dwelling MSM. Addressing environmental sources of this form of discrimination, as well as the psychological distress that may result, should be prioritized in HIV prevention efforts.
Laboratory of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, 310 East 67th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA, vfrye@nybloodcenter.org.
Victoria
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Frye
Vijay
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Nandi
James
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Egan
Magdalena
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Cerda
Emily
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Greene
Hong
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Van Tieu
Danielle C
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Ompad
Donald R
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Hoover
Debbie
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Eduardo
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Baez
Beryl A
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Koblin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D063505:Racism; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D063508:Social Discrimination; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data