Increasing the Reach of HIV Testing to Young Latino MSM: Results of a Pilot Study Integrating Outreach and Services

Abstract

Background In the U.S., HIV infections are increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly young, racial/ethnic minority MSM. Objective To examine the feasibility of increasing HIV testing among young Latino MSM by integrating tailored outreach strategies with testing, counseling, and HIV medical services. Design Descriptive study comparing demographic characteristics, behaviors, and HIV test results of clients from the intervention period with clients who tested during other time periods. Results Clients in the intervention period were younger and more likely to be Latino than those in other time periods. In addition, clients who received outreach were more likely than those who did not receive outreach to report methamphetamine use, sex with an HIV-positive person, and sex with a sex worker. Conclusion Venue-based and selective media outreach, in combination with linking rapid testing to HIV care, may help overcome some of the barriers to testing among high-risk young Latino MSM.

Effectiveness of peer-led interventions to increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Among the 7 studies included, 1 was an RCT (Young et al, 2015), 1 was a cluster randomized trial (Young et al, 2015), 2 were quasi-experimental studies (Ko et al, 2013; Wilton et al, 2009; Yan et al, 2014), and 3 were pre- and post-intervention studies (Erausquin et al, 2009; Geibel, King’ola, Temmerman, & Luchters, 2012; Golden et al, 2006) (Table 1). The sample sizes ranged from 95 to 1037.…”

“…For studies with control arms, the comparison condition was typically standard of care for HIV prevention. All 7 studies assessed HIV testing uptake among MSM as the primary outcome, though 3 studies measured other outcomes such as knowledge about HIV (Erausquin et al, 2009; Geibel et al, 2012; Wilton et al, 2009). Three studies were conducted in the US (Erausquin et al, 2009; Golden et al, 2006; Wilton et al, 2009), one in the UK (Elford, Bolding, & Sherr, 2001), and three in low- and middle-income countries: Kenya (Geibel, King’ola, Temmerman, & Luchters, 2012), Taiwan (Ko et al, 2013), and Peru (Young et al, 2015).…”

“…Three of the seven studies (Ko et al, 2013; Wilton et al, 2009; Young et al, 2015) were assigned a ‘strong’ overall quality rating, and the other four were deemed of ‘moderate’ quality (Elford et al, 2001; Erausquin et al, 2009; S. Geibel et al, 2012; Golden et al, 2006).…”

“…No study received a ‘weak’ overall rating. Four studies were rated as ‘moderate’ in terms of selection bias (Elford et al, 2001; Erausquin et al, 2009; Ko et al, 2013; Wilton et al, 2009), two were assigned a ‘weak’ rating (Geibel et al, 2012; Golden et al, 2006), whereas one study received a ‘strong’ rating (Young et al, 2015). Most studies got ‘moderate’ or ‘weak’ ratings for selection bias because participants were recruited mostly through establishment-based sampling venues frequented by MSM such as bars, clubs and bathhouses.…”

Condom Use Among Immigrant Latino Sexual Minorities: Multilevel Analysis After Respondent-Driven Sampling

“…Higher acculturation also has been associated with unprotected sex among immigrant Latino MSM (Warren et al, 2008); however, the interplay between changing sexual values and practices associated with immigration in relationship to sexual risk remains poorly understood, particularly when considering sexual orientation and same-sex behaviors (Diaz & Ayala, 2001; Lescano, Brown, Raffaelli, & Lima, 2009). Further, discrimination, homophobia, and substance use have been identified as increasing risk among Latino sexual minorities (Erausquin et al, 2009; Institute of Medicine, 2011; Rhodes et al, 2010; Rhodes et al, 2011). …”