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Janulis P, Jenness SM, Risher K, Phillips G, Mustanski B, Birkett M. Substance use and variation in sexual partnership rates among young MSM and young transgender women: Disaggregating between and within-person associations. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 252:110968. [PMID: 37774516 PMCID: PMC10615872 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use has been extensively linked to sexual behavior and HIV/STI risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW). However, the impact of specific substances and on specific partnership types is not well characterized. The current study seeks to estimate the association between specific substances and partnership rates while carefully disaggregating between and within-person associations to characterize the nature of these associations and inform prevention interventions. METHODS Using data from a longitudinal cohort (n = 1159) of young MSM (YMSM) and young TW (YTW), we utilized a series of hybrid mixed effect models to estimate the associations between substance use (i.e., heavy episodic drinking [HED], marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, poppers, prescription stimulant, prescription painkiller, and prescription depressants) and partnerships (i.e., one-time, casual, and main). RESULTS Results from multivariable models indicated people using substances had higher one-time (HED, poppers) and casual (HED, methamphetamine, poppers) partnership rates. In addition, participants reported higher rates of one-time (HED, ecstasy, methamphetamine, poppers) and casual partners (HED, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, poppers) during periods of substance use. CONCLUSION These findings confirm that the highest rates of sexual activity occur among YMSM-YTW using substances during periods of substance use. Yet, these findings should caution researchers against simplistic generalizations as these associations differ across substance and partnership types. Efforts to promote the health of MSM-YTW who use substances should carefully consider this complexity as interventions accounting for the unique cultural context of substance use in these populations are most likely to be successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Janulis
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, United States; Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, United States.
| | | | - Kathryn Risher
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, United States
| | - Gregory Phillips
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, United States; Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, United States
| | - Brian Mustanski
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, United States; Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, United States
| | - Michelle Birkett
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, United States; Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, United States
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Janulis P, Goodreau SM, Morris M, Birkett M, Phillips G, Risher K, Mustanski B, Jenness SM. Partnership types and coital frequency as predictors of gonorrhea and chlamydia among young MSM and young transgender women. Int J STD AIDS 2023; 34:694-701. [PMID: 37146303 PMCID: PMC10524890 DOI: 10.1177/09564624231173728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infections pose a major public health challenge in the United States and this burden is especially acute in subpopulations like young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and young transgender women (YTW). Yet, the direct behavioral antecedents of these infections are not well understood making it difficult to identify the cause of recent increases in incidence. This study examines how variations in partnership rates and the number of condomless sex acts are associated with STI infections among YMSM-YTW. METHOD This study leveraged 3 years of data from a large longitudinal cohort of YMSM-YTW. A series of generalized linear mixed models examined the association between the number of condomless anal sex acts, number of one-time partners, number of casual partners, and number of main partners and chlamydia, gonorrhea, or any STI. RESULTS Results indicated the number of casual partners was associated with gonorrhea [aOR = 1.17 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.26)], chlamydia [aOR = 1.12 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.20)], and any STI [aOR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.21)] while the number of one-time partners was only associated with gonorrhea [aOR = 1.13 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.26)]. The number of condomless anal sex acts was not associated with any outcome. CONCLUSION These findings suggest the number of casual partners is a consistent predictor of STI infection among YMSM-YTW. This may reflect the quick saturation of risk within partnerships making the number of partners, rather than the number of acts, the more relevant factor for STI risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Janulis
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Steven M Goodreau
- Departments of Anthropology and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Martina Morris
- Departments of Statistics and Sociology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michelle Birkett
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gregory Phillips
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kathryn Risher
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Brian Mustanski
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Shrader CH, Duncan DT, Chen YT, Driver R, Russell J, Moody RL, Knox J, Skaathun B, Durrell M, Hanson H, Eavou R, Goedel WC, Schneider JA. Latent Profile Patterns of Network-Level Norms and Associations with Individual-Level Sexual Behaviors: The N2 Cohort Study in Chicago. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:2355-2372. [PMID: 36877319 PMCID: PMC10480356 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02555-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Individual-level behavior can be influenced by injunctive and descriptive social network norms surrounding that behavior. There is a need to understand how the influence of social norms within an individual's social networks may influence individual-level sexual behavior. We aimed to typologize the network-level norms of sexual behaviors within the social networks of Black sexual and gender minoritized groups (SGM) assigned male at birth. Survey data were collected in Chicago, Illinois, USA, between 2018 and 2019 from Black SGM. A total of 371 participants provided individual-level information about sociodemographic characteristics and HIV vulnerability from sex (i.e., condomless sex, group sex, use of alcohol/drugs to enhance sex) and completed an egocentric network inventory assessing perceptions of their social network members' (alters') injunctive and descriptive norms surrounding sexual behaviors with increased HIV vulnerability. We used Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify network-level norms based on the proportion of alters' approval of the participant engaging in condomless sex, group sex, and use of drugs to enhance sex (i.e., injunctive norms) and alters' engagement in these behaviors (i.e., descriptive norms). We then used binomial regression analyses to examine associations between network-level norm profiles and individual-level HIV vulnerability from sex. The results of our LPA indicated that our sample experienced five distinct latent profiles of network-level norms: (1) low HIV vulnerability network norm, (2) moderately high HIV vulnerability network norm, (3) high HIV vulnerability network norm, (4) condomless sex dominant network norm, and (5) approval of drug use during sex dominant network norm. Condomless anal sex, group sex, and using drugs to enhance sex were positively and significantly associated with higher HIV vulnerability social network norm profiles, relative to low HIV vulnerability norm profiles. To mitigate Black SGM's HIV vulnerability, future HIV risk reduction strategies can consider using network-level intervention approaches such as opinion leaders, segmentation, induction, or alteration, through an intersectionality framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cho-Hee Shrader
- Department of Epidemiology, ICAP at Columbia University, Columbia University, 211 W 117th St APT 3A, New York, NY, 10026, USA.
| | - Dustin T Duncan
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yen-Tyng Chen
- Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Redd Driver
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Russell
- Department of Epidemiology, ICAP at Columbia University, Columbia University, 211 W 117th St APT 3A, New York, NY, 10026, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Raymond L Moody
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Justin Knox
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Britt Skaathun
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mainza Durrell
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hillary Hanson
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rebecca Eavou
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - William C Goedel
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - John A Schneider
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Choi SK, Bauermeister J. A Latent Profile Analysis of Online Dating Patterns Among Single Young Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:1279-1288. [PMID: 34609630 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03485-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Despite the increased use of geosocial networking applications for finding sexual partners among young men who have sex with men (YMSM), few studies have examined the intricate patterns of online dating behaviors. In order to advance understanding of online dating patterns among YMSM, various factors, including how frequently and how much time is spent within partner-seeking sites, need to be examined concurrently. Therefore, we used latent profile analysis to identify online dating patterns and logistic regressions to examine their associations with sexual behaviors and relationship characteristics among single YMSM (N = 180; ages 18-24). We found three online dating patterns: discouraged users (N = 93, 52%), date seekers (N = 67, 37%), and instant lovers (N = 20, 11%). Discouraged users were less likely to seek sexual sensational activities, while date seekers were more likely to seek sexual sensational activities. Moreover, instant lovers were less likely to pursue committed romantic relationships, while they reported a higher number of condomless anal intercourse. Given that online dating patterns are not homogeneous, HIV prevention interventions may benefit from tailored approaches based on YMSM's different online dating profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul Ki Choi
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, 2L, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - José Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, 2L, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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Feinstein BA, Swann G, Sarno EL, Moran KO, Newcomb ME, Mustanski B. Minority Stressors and Identity Affirmation as Predictors of Condomless Sex Among Self-Identified Bisexual Men: The Role of Partner Gender. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:1057-1065. [PMID: 32651880 PMCID: PMC7796898 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01775-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bisexual men are at increased risk for HIV/STI and early pregnancy involvement compared to heterosexual men, and minority stressors (e.g., enacted and internalized stigma) are associated with sexual risk behavior in samples of gay and bisexual men. However, few studies have specifically focused on bisexual men, and little is known about the unique predictors of sexual risk behavior in this population. Further, few studies have focused on positive sexual orientation-related factors such as identity affirmation, which may be protective against sexual risk behavior. As such, the goals of the current study were to examine minority stressors and identity affirmation as predictors of condomless sex among self-identified bisexual men, and whether these associations differed as a function of partner gender. We used four waves of data spanning 24 months from a subset of self-identified bisexual men in a larger cohort of gay and bisexual men ages 16-29 years at enrollment. At each wave, participants reported on up to four partners, allowing us to examine within-person associations. We used mixed effects negative binomial models to examine the associations between our predictors (discrimination, internalized binegativity, and identity affirmation) and condomless sex acts. In addition, we tested whether partner gender moderated each of the associations by including interaction effects in each of the models. Results indicated that higher levels of internalized binegativity and lower levels of identity affirmation were associated with less condomless sex with female partners, but they were not associated with condomless sex with male partners. Discrimination was not associated with condomless sex with male or female partners. These findings suggest that predictors of condom use among self-identified bisexual men differ as a function of partner gender, and they highlight the need to identify strategies to promote sexual health while also supporting positive identity development in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian A Feinstein
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Gregory Swann
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elissa L Sarno
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kevin O Moran
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael E Newcomb
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian Mustanski
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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The role of sexual compulsivity in unprotected intercourse among STI patients in Shanghai, China. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:141. [PMID: 33446160 PMCID: PMC7809841 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10186-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual compulsivity (SC) and its relationship with unprotected intercourse (UI) have long been an intriguing topic, but its existential meaning in the management of public health or, more precisely, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has rarely been studied to date. This study examines whether SC plays a role in UI among sexually active STI patients. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in two sexual transmitted disease (STD) clinicals of Shanghai Skin Diseases Hospital in Shanghai. Totally 664 sexually active STI patients were included. Results The ages of the 664 participants ranged from 18 to 76 years, with 58.73% between 26 and 40 years old. 449 (191 male and 258 female) reported had UI during the past 6 months. Although the only statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was in relation to UI with a casual sexual partner, the difference between male/female and regular/casual sexual partners remained evident. Conclusions SC is evidently a potential predictor of UI with a casual sexual partner in male STI patients, while the use of condoms is more likely to be affected by other factors. In addition to general sexual education, counseling interventions should be provided by health institutions, and specific intervention methods targeting gender and sexual partners should be considered.
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Starks TJ, Jones SS, Kyre K, Robles G, Cain D, Jimenez R, Stephenson R, Sullivan PS. Testing the drug use and condomless anal sex link among sexual minority men: The predictive utility of marijuana and interactions with relationship status. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 216:108318. [PMID: 33022531 PMCID: PMC7959658 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between drug use and condomless anal sex (CAS) is well documented among sexual minority men (SMM). Less is known about whether this association generalizes to marijuana and across relationship status and sexual agreements groups (single, partnered monogamous, partnered open -outside partners permitted, and partnered monogamish -outside partners permitted when main partners are together). METHODS A nationwide sample of SMM (N = 65,707) were recruited through a geosocial networking app between November 2017 and November 2019. Participants reported on drug use and instances of CAS with casual partners in the previous 30 days. RESULTS Both marijuana and club drug use were associated with the occurrence of CAS with casual partners among single men. Only club drug use was associated with CAS frequency in this group. The association between marijuana and the occurrence of CAS did not differ significantly among monogamous men, while the associations between club drug use and the occurrence as well as frequency of CAS were significantly weaker. Meanwhile, the associations between club drug use and the occurrence as well as frequency of CAS did not differ significantly between single and non-monogamous (open and monogamish) subgroups; however, the association between marijuana and the occurrence of CAS was significantly weaker. CONCLUSIONS Findings largely replicated the robust association between club drug use and CAS with casual partners. They support the assertion that marijuana use predicts sexual risk for some SMM subgroups. Finally, they illustrate the potential for relationship status - and sexual agreements - to contextualize associations between drug use and CAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyrel J. Starks
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA,Doctoral Program in Health Psychology and Clinical Science, Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - S. Scott Jones
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Kory Kyre
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Gabriel Robles
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Demetria Cain
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruben Jimenez
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Rob Stephenson
- Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership, and The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Smith MK, Wei C, Liu C, Pan SW, Ong JJ, Tucker JD. Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Latent Class Analysis. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 49:721-731. [PMID: 31571020 PMCID: PMC7035172 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-019-01481-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a diverse population yet are often treated as a monolithic risk group. In China, MSM have long been characterized as a "bridge population" of closeted men who are married to (or will marry) women due to sociocultural expectations. Latent class models can inform a more nuanced yet empirical characterization of this population. In total, 1424 eligible respondents recruited online provided self-reported behavioral data. Nine items related to constructs including sexual behaviors, sexual orientation, and gender identity informed the latent class model. Logistic regression was used to measure associations between latent class membership and HIV-related sexual and health-seeking behaviors. Model fit indicated a population structure made up of four classes that we characterized as "Gender nonconforming" (4.3%), "Closeted-unmarried" (29.9%), "Closeted-married" (24.6%), and "Out" (41.2%). Members of the "gender nonconforming" class were more likely to report HIV-related risk behaviors, and "Closeted-unmarried" class members were less likely to report health-seeking behaviors, both relative to "Out" members. The largest latent class was made up of members of the "Out" class, an enlightening revision of a population traditionally viewed as largely closeted men. Two types of "closeted" classes emerged, distinguished by divergent tendencies regarding marriage and health seeking. Findings suggest that current understandings of Chinese MSM are simplistic (regarding closeted behaviors) and too narrow (in its definition of MSM as cisgender men). A more nuanced understanding of MSM subgroups and their heterogeneous risk behaviors will be critical for provision of more meaningful prevention services.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kumi Smith
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Chongyi Wei
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Chuncheng Liu
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Sociology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Stephen W Pan
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Xi'an Jiatong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jason J Ong
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Acceptability and Preliminary Efficacy of an Online HIV Prevention Intervention for Single Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Seeking Partners Online: The myDEx Project. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:3064-3077. [PMID: 30762190 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02426-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prevention of new cases of HIV among young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YGBMSM; ages 18-24) remains a priority. We developed and pilot tested an online intervention (myDEx) using a pilot randomized trial design with 180 online-recruited single YGBMSM who reported recent unprotected anal intercourse, self-reporting as HIV negative or status-unaware, and who met sexual partners through online dating applications. myDEx participants reported higher overall satisfaction (d = 0.46) and willingness to recommend the intervention to friends (d = 0.48) than controls. myDEx participants were less likely to report foregoing condoms to achieve an emotional connection with a partner (d =0 .43), and more likely to report greater emotional regulation during their partner-seeking behaviors (d = 0.44). myDEx participants reported fewer partners with whom they had condomless receptive anal sex (d = 0.48). Our pilot results demonstrate the potential of the myDEx intervention, suggesting that a larger efficacy trial may be warranted in the future.
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10
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Smith MK, Stein G, Cheng W, Miller WC, Tucker JD. Identifying high risk subgroups of MSM: a latent class analysis using two samples. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:213. [PMID: 30832592 PMCID: PMC6399860 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-3700-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Latent class analyses (LCA) are increasingly being used to target specialized HIV interventions, but generalizability of emergent population structures across settings has yet to be considered. We compare LCA performed on two online samples of HIV negative Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) to detect more generalizable latent class structures and to assess the extent to which sampling considerations impact the validity of LCA results. Methods LCAs were performed on an 1) nationwide online survey which involved no in-person contact with study staff and a 2) sentinel surveillance survey in which participants underwent HIV and syphilis testing in the city of Guangzhou, both conducted in 2014. Models for each sample were informed by risk factors for HIV acquisition in MSM that were common to both datasets. Results An LCA of the Guangzhou sentinel surveillance data indicated the presence of two relatively similar classes, differing only by the greater tendency of one to report group sex. In contrast an LCA of the nationwide survey identified three classes, two of which shared many of the same features as those identified in the Guangzhou survey, including the fact that they were mainly distinguished by group sex behaviors. The final latent class in the nationwide survey was composed of members with notably few risk behaviors. Conclusions Comparisons of the latent class structures of each sample lead us to conclude that the nationwide online sample captured a larger, possibly more representative group of Chinese MSM comprised of a larger, higher risk group and a small yet distinct lower group with few reported behaviors. The absence of a lower risk group in the Guangzhou sentinel surveillance dataset suggests that MSM recruited into studies involving free HIV/STI testing may oversample MSM with higher risk behaviors and therefore greater risk perception. Lastly, two types of higher risk MSM were emergent across both samples distinguished largely by their recent group sex behaviors. Higher odds not only of self-reported HIV infection but also of closeted tendencies and gender fluid identities in this highest risk group suggest that interacting factors drive individual and structural facets of HIV risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kumi Smith
- Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 1300 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.
| | - Gabriella Stein
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, 3101 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB #7420, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Weibin Cheng
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, 1 Jiaochang E Rd, Guangzhou Shi, 510000, Guangdong Sheng, China
| | - William C Miller
- Division of Epidemiology, The Ohio State University, College of Public Health, 1841 Neal Ave., 302 Cunz Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Road, 2nd Floor, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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Sexual Networks of Racially Diverse Young MSM Differ in Racial Homophily But Not Concurrency. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 77:459-466. [PMID: 29280767 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substantial racial disparities exist in HIV infection among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). However, evidence suggests black YMSM do not engage in greater levels of risk behavior. Sexual networks may help explain this paradox. This study used egocentric exponential random graph models to examine variation in concurrency (ie, 2 or more simultaneous partners) and homophily (ie, same race/ethnicity partners) across race/ethnicity groups in a diverse sample of YMSM. METHODS Data for this study come from a longitudinal cohort study of YMSM. Participants (n = 1012) provided data regarding their sexual contacts during the 6 months before their first study visit. A series of egocentric exponential random graph models examined how providing separate estimates for homophily and concurrency parameters across race/ethnicity improved the fit of these models. Networks were simulated using these parameters to examine how local network characteristics impact risk at the whole network level. RESULTS Results indicated that homophily, but not concurrency, varied across race/ethnicity. Black participants witnessed significantly higher race/ethnicity homophily compared with white and Latino peers. Extrapolating from these models, black individuals were more likely to be in a connected component with an HIV-positive individual and closer to HIV-positive individuals. However, white individuals were more likely to be in large connected components. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that high racial homophily combined with existing disparities in HIV help perpetuate the spread of HIV among black YMSM. Nonetheless, additional work is required to understand these disparities given that homophily alone cannot sustain them indefinitely.
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Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use and Condomless Anal Sex: Evidence of Risk Compensation in a Cohort of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 77:358-364. [PMID: 29210834 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective at preventing HIV acquisition. It remains unclear if PrEP use increases rates of condomless sex (ie, risk compensation), which may increase risk of infection if PrEP adherence is not optimal. This study aimed to examine whether PrEP use and PrEP adherence were associated with change in sexual risk behaviors in a large longitudinal cohort of YMSM reporting on multiple sexual partnerships over time. METHOD Data were obtained from the first 3 visits of an ongoing cohort study of YMSM in Chicago (analytic N = 953; 14.1% HIV-positive at baseline). Participants reported up to 4 sexual partnerships at each visit, including sexual behavior, PrEP use, and PrEP adherence within partnerships. RESULTS YMSM reported higher rates of receptive condomless anal sex (CAS) in partnerships during which they were on PrEP compared with those when they were not on PrEP. This association was consistent across both HIV-negative and HIV-positive participants reporting on partnerships with both perceived HIV-negative/unknown and HIV-positive partners. The rate of receptive CAS was higher in PrEP nonadherent partnerships compared with non-PrEP partnerships. The rate of receptive CAS was also higher in PrEP nonadherent than adherent partnerships, but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS These analyses provide compelling data suggesting that YMSM are engaging in risk compensation when on PrEP. If rates of receptive CAS are highest among YMSM who are PrEP nonadherent, PrEP as a prevention strategy could fail to curb HIV incidence among YMSM.
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Feinstein BA, Moran KO, Newcomb ME, Mustanski B. Differences in HIV Risk Behaviors Between Self-Identified Gay and Bisexual Young Men Who are HIV-Negative. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2019; 48:261-275. [PMID: 29508171 PMCID: PMC6123308 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-018-1148-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Young men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV, but it remains unclear whether there are differences in HIV risk behaviors between self-identified gay and bisexual young men. To address this, the current study examined differences in condomless sex and substance use before sex with male partners between self-identified gay and bisexual young men who are HIV-negative. Additionally, we examined differences in HIV risk behaviors with male versus female partners among the bisexual men. We used four waves of data spanning 24 months from a cohort of young MSM ages 16-29. At each wave, participants reported on up to four partners, allowing us to examine within-person associations. Compared to gay men, bisexual men reported more insertive condomless anal sex (CAS) with casual partners, they were more likely to report marijuana use before sex, and they were less likely to report lifetime HIV testing and PrEP use. Alcohol and marijuana use before sex were associated with CAS for both gay and bisexual men, but the association between marijuana use and insertive CAS was stronger for bisexual men. Bisexual men reported more condomless sex with female partners compared to male partners, but this was not significant after accounting for alcohol and marijuana use. Bisexual men were more likely to report alcohol and marijuana use with female partners compared to male partners, but both alcohol and marijuana use were associated with condomless sex regardless of partner gender. Findings support the need for tailored HIV prevention for self-identified bisexual men to address their lack of preventive behaviors, their increased engagement in certain risk behaviors with male partners, and their engagement in risk behaviors with female partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian A Feinstein
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Kevin O Moran
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael E Newcomb
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian Mustanski
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Geographic and Individual Associations with PrEP Stigma: Results from the RADAR Cohort of Diverse Young Men Who have Sex with Men and Transgender Women. AIDS Behav 2018; 22:3044-3056. [PMID: 29789985 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2159-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Increasing the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV acquisition among at-risk populations, such as young men who have sex with men (YMSM), is of vital importance to slowing the HIV epidemic. Stigma and negative injunctive norms, such as the so called "Truvada Whore" phenomenon, hamper this effort. We examined the prevalence and types of PrEP stigma and injunctive norm beliefs among YMSM and transgender women and associated individual and geospatial factors. A newly created measure of PrEP Stigma and Positive Attitudes was administered to 620 participants in an ongoing longitudinal cohort study. Results indicated lower stigma among White, compared to Black and Latino participants, and among participants not identifying as male. Prior knowledge about PrEP was associated with lower stigma and higher positive attitudes. PrEP stigma had significant geospatial clustering and hotspots were identified in neighborhoods with high HIV incidence and concentration of racial minorities, whereas coldspots were identified in areas with high HIV incidence and low LGBT stigma. These results provide important information about PrEP attitudes and how PrEP stigma differs between individuals and across communities.
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Bauermeister JA, Giguere R, Leu CS, Dolezal C, Febo I, Cranston RD, Mayer K, McGowan I, Carballo-Diéguez A. Patterns of a Rectal Microbicide Placebo Gel Use in a Preparatory Stage for a Phase I Trial Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav 2018; 22:412-420. [PMID: 28688029 PMCID: PMC5756684 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1847-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
We examined young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men's (YGBMSM) usage patterns of a pre-coital, applicator-administered rectal placebo gel. An ethnically diverse sample of 94 YGBMSM (aged 18-30 years) were asked to insert hydroxyethylcellulose placebo gel rectally before receptive anal intercourse (RAI) and report their gel use through an interactive voice response system (IVRS) across 12 weeks. We used trajectory analyses to characterize participants' use of the rectal gel over the 12 weeks, and examine whether these trajectories varied based on participants' sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, application and insertion behaviors, and experiences using the placebo gel. A cubic model was the best fit for these longitudinal data, with two distinct trajectories of gel use observed. The first trajectory ('High with Varying Gel Use per Week') represented YGBMSM (N = 38; 40.3%) who reported using the rectal gel on several occasions per week. The second trajectory ('Low and Consistent Gel Use per Week') represented participants (N = 56; 59.7%) who reported a consistent average use of one gel per week. Participants in the High with Varying Gel Use Trajectory reported trying out a greater number of positions when inserting the gel across the 12-weeks than peers in the Low and Consistent Gel Use Trajectory. YGBMSM reporting more RAI occasions during the trial were more likely be present in the High with Varying Gel Use Trajectory than peers in the Low and Consistent Gel Use Trajectory. Future research examining how to facilitate gel application and adherence among YGBMSM is merited.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Bauermeister
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Suite 402, Philadelphia, PA, 19109, USA.
| | - R Giguere
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and NY State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
| | - C S Leu
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and NY State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - C Dolezal
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and NY State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
| | - I Febo
- Department of Pediatrics, Gama Project, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - R D Cranston
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - K Mayer
- Fenway Health, Fenway Institute, Boston, USA
| | - I McGowan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - A Carballo-Diéguez
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and NY State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
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