title: A Multilevel Analysis of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Transactional Sex with Casual Partners Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Living in Metro Detroit.
abstract: The role of structural factors when evaluating the vulnerability of human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/STI) risks among young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men is an important area of focus for HIV prevention. Using cross-sectional data from young men living in Metro Detroit (N = 319; aged 18-29 years; 50% black, 25% white, 15% Latino, 9% other race/ethnicity; 9% HIV-positive), we examined whether transactional sex with casual partners was associated with neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage and individual-level factors (race/ethnicity and sexual identity, socioeconomic status, HIV/STI diagnoses, and substance use). Youth living in greater socioeconomic disadvantage reported more transactional sex (b = 0.11; SE = 0.04; p ≤ 0.01). This relationship was mitigated once individual-level correlates were entered into the model. Multilevel efforts to counteract socioeconomic deficits through community and individual level strategies may alleviate youth's exposure to transactional sex and reduce their vulnerability to HIV/STI risks.
authors.affiliation: a University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauermeister
authors.affiliation: b University of Connecticut.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.affiliation: a University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stephenson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; sex work, young adulthood; sexual minority