title: The sexual networks of racially diverse young men who have sex with men.
abstract: Young men who have sex with men are at increased risk for HIV. Research with older men and high-risk populations suggests that network dynamics may contribute to the spread of infectious disease and HIV, but little is known about the sexual networks of young men who have sex with men. Utilizing a unique dataset, this study presents novel descriptive data about the sexual networks of racially diverse 17- to 23-year-old young men who have sex with men. Additionally, individual, partner, and network characteristics of these young men who have sex with men were examined as potential drivers of HIV, STI, and unprotected intercourse. Results indicated several partner- and network-level factors associated with HIV and associated outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA, birkett@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birkett
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kuhns
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Latkin
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muth
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mustanski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult