Sexual Partnering and HIV Risk among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men: New York City

Abstract

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected with HIV in the US. Limited event-specific data have been reported in Black MSM to help understand factors associated with increased risk of infection. Cross-sectional National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Study data from 503 MSM who reported > or =1 male sexual partner in the past year in New York City (NYC) were analyzed. Case-crossover analysis compared last protected and last unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). A total of 503 MSM were enrolled. Among 349 tested for HIV, 18% were positive. Black MSM (N = 117) were more likely to test HIV positive and not know their HIV-positive status than other racial/ethnic groups. Case-crossover analysis of 208 MSM found that men were more likely to engage in protected anal intercourse with a first time partner and with a partner of unknown HIV status. Although Black MSM were more likely to have Black male partners, they were not more likely to have UAI with those partners or to have a partner aged >40 years. In conclusion, HIV prevalence was high among Black MSM in NYC, as was lack of awareness of HIV-positive status. Having a sexual partner of same race/ethnicity or older age was not associated with having UAI among Black MSM.

Molecular analysis allows inference into HIV transmission among young men who have sex with men in the United States

“…First, the sexual networks of black/African American MSM are more likely to be exclusively or predominantly other black/African American MSM [4,9,[22][23][24][25]. Second, because black/ African American MSM may have higher levels of HIV prevalence and incidence and lower levels of HIV care and viral suppression than other MSM, black/African American MSM may be at increased risk for HIV transmission with their black/African American partners than with other partners [26][27][28].…”

“…The availability of these data enabled us to identify potential transmission links between MSM, explore transmission networks instead of sexual networks, and prevent problems associated with recall bias [4,23,24,[31][32][33].…”

“…Estimated percentage of infections from older partners among men who have sex with men who are aged [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] The multivariable model included all variables listed and also controlled for year of diagnosis.…”

Are Partner Race and Intimate Partner Violence Associated with Incident and Newly Diagnosed HIV Infection in African-American Men Who Have Sex with Men?

“…15 Previous studies have used these findings to propose that higher HIV incidence and prevalence among Black MSM may be explained by same race 1,3,[16][17][18][19] or older partners. 1,7,16,20,21 However, other analyses have contested the relationship between HIV incidence and partner race 22 or partner age. 22,23 An analysis of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System found that sexual networks were not influential in explaining the HIV disparity between White and Black MSM.…”

“…1,7,16,20,21 However, other analyses have contested the relationship between HIV incidence and partner race 22 or partner age. 22,23 An analysis of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System found that sexual networks were not influential in explaining the HIV disparity between White and Black MSM. More specifically, the only significant difference was that Black MSM newly diagnosed with HIV were more likely to report that their last male partner had an unknown HIV status when compared to White MSM who were newly diagnosed.…”