Examination of multidimensional geographic mobility and sexual behaviour among Black cisgender sexually minoritized men in Chicago

Abstract

Black sexually minoritized men (BSMM) are the most likely to acquire HIV in Chicago- a racially segregated city where their daily travel may confer different HIV-related risks. From survey and GPS data among participants of the Neighbourhoods and Networks Cohort Study, we examined spatial (proportion of total activity space away from home), temporal (proportion of total GPS points away from home), and motivation-specific (discordance between residential and frequented sex or socializing neighbourhoods) dimensions of mobility. To identify potential drivers of BSMM’s risk, we then examined associations between mobility and sexual behaviours known to cause HIV transmission: condomless anal sex, condomless anal sex with a casual partner, transactional sex, group sex, and sex-drug use. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations. Of 269 cisgender BSMM, most were 20-29 years old, identified as gay, and lowincome. On average, 96.9% (Standard Deviation: 3.7%) of participants’ activity space and 53.9% (Standard Deviation: 38.1%) of participants’ GPS points occurred outside their 800m home network buffer. After covariate adjustment, those who reported sex away from home were twice as likely to report condomless sex (Odds Ratio: 2.02, [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.08, 3.78]). Those who reported socializing away from home were four times more likely to have condomless sex with a casual partner (Odds Ratio: 4.16 [CI: 0.99, 29.0]). BSMM are on the move in Chicago, but only motivation-specific mobility may increase HIV transmission risk. Multidimensional investigations of mobility can inform place-based strategies for HIV service delivery.