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Abstract
Unexplained racial disparities in HIV seroprevalence among young men who have sex with men (MSM), New York City (NYC) public settings, 1997-2000: need to apply qualitative ethnographic methods to epidemiologic research
L V Torian1, B A Koblin2, V Guilin2, L Ren2, H A Makki1
1New York City Department of Health, New York, United States; 2New York Blood Center, New York, United States
Objective: To estimate prevalence and behavioral risk in young MSM attending public venues. Method: NYC component of cross-sectional anonymous survey of MSM aged 15-29 attending settings such as bars, clubs, street locations, businesses and special events, with randomized recruitment at computer-selected place/day/time events. Respondents underwent standardized structured interview and anonymous HIV counseling/testing and received appointment for post-test counseling. 541 MSM aged 15-22 were sampled in 1997-1998 (Phase I), and 529 MSM aged 23-29 were sampled in 1999-2000 (Phase II). Results: The Phase I sample was 41% Latino, 24% Black, 12% white, 2% Asian and 21% other/mixed race; the Phase II sample was 36% Latino, 27% black, 20% white, 7% Asian and 10% other/mixed race. In Phase I prevalence was 12% overall (Asian 0%, white 3%, Latino 9%, Black 18%); in Phase II prevalence was 16% overall (Asian 0%, white 2%, Latino 16%, black 33%). By logistic regression the age- and risk-adjusted ORs were 9.2 (95% CI 2.1,41.2) for Black and 3.1 (95% CI 0.7,14.0) for Latino race/ethnicity in Phase I and 4.7 (95% CI 3.5,6.2) for Black and 1.6 (95% CI 1.2,2.1) for Latino race/ethnicity in Phase II. There were no differences by race in the high levels of lifetime and 6-month sexual and drug exposures or HIV testing history. Conclusion: These findings confirm public health data collected over a 10-year period in NYC MSM showing increasingly wide racial disparities in prevalence not explained by traditional risk exposures. The data suggest that there are as-yet undefined and unexplored race-specific risk factors that may include black and Latino MSMs’ experience of racism, homophobia, community, family structure, faith, poverty, and contact with the criminal justice system. Detailed ethnographic studies that allow MSM to “tell their own stories” will elicit these factors, allowing design of culturally sensitive epidemiologic and prevention research.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
MoPeC3439
Suggested Citation
" L V Torian , , et al.
Unexplained racial disparities in HIV seroprevalence among young men who have sex with men (MSM), New York City (NYC) public settings, 1997-2000: need to apply qualitative ethnographic methods to epidemiologic research
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Poster Exhibition:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
MoPeC3439"
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