Differences in the Social Networks of African American Men Who Have Sex With Men Only and Those Who Have Sex With Men and Women

Abstract

Objectives We compared social network characteristics of African American men who have sex with men only (MSMO) with social network characteristics of African American men who have sex with men and women (MSMW). Methods Study participants were 234 African American men who have sex with men who completed a baseline social network assessment for a pilot behavioral HIV prevention intervention in Baltimore, Maryland, from 2006 through 2009. We surveyed the men to elicit the characteristics of their social networks, and we used logistic regression models to assess differences in network characteristics. Results MSMO were significantly more likely than were MSMW to be HIV-positive (52% vs 31%). We found no differences between MSMO and MSMW in the size of kin networks or emotional and material support networks. MSMW had denser sexual networks, reported more concurrent and exchange partners, used condoms with more sexual partners, and reported interaction with a larger number of sexual partners at least once a week. Conclusions Although there were many similarities in the social and sexual network characteristics of MSMO and MSMW, differences did exist. HIV prevention interventions should address the unique needs of African American MSMW.

Understanding Social and Sexual Networks of Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women in Guatemala City to Improve HIV Prevention Efforts

“…32 In one of the few studies to compare social and sexual networks among men who had sex with men only and men who had sex with both men and women, the authors concluded that sex partners who were not also members of participants’ emotional and economic support networks may be the best positioned to introduce and spread new ideas about condom use. 17 The authors argue, however, that these more casual and informal partnerships may not be the best positioned to establish norms of communication on risk reduction and support for HIV prevention and treatment. 17 …”

“…Social network characteristics including size, composition, density, norms, and communication patterns have been associated, with both HIV risk and protective behaviors across diverse populations. 13–17 Among highly marginalized populations, networks may provide the only source of social and informational support. 18 In a qualitative study among male to female transgender sex workers in Boston, MA, the authors found that social networks, particularly the role of the transgender or gay mother, were crucial for helping younger transgender sex workers to navigate transactional sex encounters, given that so many were alienated from their families and faced daunting stigma, discrimination, and poverty.…”

Types of Female Partners Reported by Black Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women (MSMW) and Associations with Intercourse Frequency, Unprotected Sex and HIV and STI Prevalence

“…Although most studies have shown lower HIV prevalences in MSMW than MSMO [6, 18–20], a growing number of studies indicate that MSMW practice more unprotected sex with their female than with their male partners [6, 10, 11, 18, 19, 21]. These studies include one showing a higher likelihood of serodiscordant unprotected sex with female than with male partners in Black MWMW who are HIV-positive [19].…”

HIV Acquisition and Transmission Potential Among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women in Three U.S. Cities

“…. Studies incorporating HIV testing have reported rates as high as 30-50% among black MSMW (Latkin et al, 2011;Tieu et al, 2012). Black MSMW may also be more likely than MSM of other race/ethnicities to have undiagnosed infection (Maulsby, Sifakis, German, Flynn, & Holtgrave, 2012;Young, Shoptaw, 5 It is likely that sexual behaviors differ between male, female, and transgender partners of MSMW .…”