Cigarette Smoking as Part of a Syndemic among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Ages 13–29 in New York City

Abstract

The prevalence of cigarette smoking among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is significantly higher than among their heterosexual peers. We undertook an analysis to examine cigarette smoking in relation to demographic factors and other risk behaviors among 580 YMSM, ages 13-29, in New York City. Cross-sectional data were collected as part of larger study of risk behaviors using palm devices and targeted active recruitment strategies across all five boroughs of the city. Multivariate modeling suggests that Asian or Pacific Islander and White YMSM are more likely to report cigarette smoking than other racial and ethnic groups, as are men reporting a middle class socioeconomic status. In addition, smoking was related to the likelihood of using a variety of illicit substances, as well as alcohol and pharmaceuticals without a prescription, during the period of assessment. YMSM who smoke cigarettes reported a greater number of casual sex partners and a greater number of transactional sex partners than non-smokers. Episodic analysis of sexual behaviors with casual partners indicated that smokers were more likely to engage in illicit drug and alcohol use immediately before or during sex than did non-smokers. These findings are understood as part of a larger syndemic among YMSM, and suggest that smoking prevention and cessation programs should be embedded as part of larger more holistic health and wellness programs targeting YMSM.

Characteristics of intermittent smokers and their association with quit intentions in a sample of heavy-drinking HIV-infected men who have sex with men

“…Within this cohort of heavy-drinking smokers living with HIV, being Black, single, and lower income (73% reported an income of less than $30,000 annually) were more strongly associated with DS. These findings are consistent with prior research suggesting that daily cigarette smoking may be part of a syndemic experienced by MSM, such that co-occurring physical and mental health burdens are mutually reinforced and exacerbated by discrimination and victimization (Storholm, Halkitis, Siconolfi, & Moeller, 2011). Thus, future research is warranted to examine differences in social oppression (i.e.…”

Awareness of Media-Based Antitobacco Messages Among a Community Sample of LGBT Individuals

“…A range of factors are known or presumed to account for sexual orientation differences in tobacco use, including minority stress, elevated rates of depression, higher rates of alcohol use, the cultural significance of bars, permissive social norms related to tobacco use, and limited access to smoking cessation services (Blosnich & Horn, 2011;Blosnich, Lee, & Horn, 2013;Greene & Britton, 2012;Gruskin, Byrne, Altschuler, & Dibble, 2009;Storholm, Halkitis, Siconolfi, & Moeller, 2011). Direct marketing to LGBT communities by tobacco companies and elevated exposure to protobacco media messages in LGBT publications represent other potential explanations for tobacco use disparities (Dilley, Spigner, Boysun, Dent, & Pizacani, 2008).…”

A Longitudinal Investigation of Syndemic Conditions Among Young Gay, Bisexual, and Other MSM: The P18 Cohort Study

“…(23-30) However, syndemic theory,(31-32) particularly as it relates to the additive effects of behavioral and psychosocial health problems on HIV/AIDS, has predominantly been empirically assessed in cross-sectional investigations of adult MSM and YMSM, both in the US and globally. (29;33;34) For example, earlier work by Stall and colleagues (35) examined the sum of a range of negative psychosocial conditions as components of a syndemic that contributed to HIV related disparities among a sample of predominantly White YMSM.…”