Correlates of HIV and STI testing among Latino men who have sex with men in New York City

Abstract

We assessed the extent to which sociodemographic, personal, and behavioral factors are associated with human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/STI) testing among a diverse group of Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) in New York City. The triangulation approach was used to synthesize data from 176 MSM who completed an in-person or phone questionnaire about substance use, alcohol consumption, sexual behaviors and HIV/STI testing history and 40 participants who participated in focus groups. Correlates of testing significant in univariable analyses (p< 0.05) were entered into multivariable logistic regression models. Over half (57.9%) of study subjects tested for HIV in the previous 12 months and 60.2% tested for STIs in the previous 12 months. Age and education were positively correlated with HIV testing in multivariable analysis. No significant correlates of STI testing were identified. Spanish-speaking only subjects were less likely to get tested for HIV and STI, however this association was not significant. Our study demonstrates the need for further study of predictors of STI testing as well as the potential role of language barriers and education in routine testing for HIV. Social and behavioral factors may intensify these obstacles. Future research and interventions should address the role of language barriers and perceived issues of immigration status in the decision to get tested.

Mobile Phone and Internet Use Mostly for Sex-Seeking and Associations With Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sample Characteristics Among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men in 3 US Cities

“…19–21 Also consistent with other studies, STI prevalence was particularly high among HIV-positive MSM, 22–23 and similar to other samples of black and Hispanic/Latino MSM. 19–21 Almost one-quarter of black and Hispanic/Latino MSM reported use of both computer-based Internet and a mobile phone for mostly sex-seeking purposes. This indicates a high level of engagement in and utilization of technology-aided sex-seeking among many black and Hispanic/Latino MSM.…”

HIV risk behaviours among immigrant and ethnic minority gay and bisexual men in North America and Europe: A systematic review

“…Rates of use for other substances are more variable, with high rates of club drug use in Miami (Fernandez et al 2004(Fernandez et al , 2005(Fernandez et al , 2007(Fernandez et al , 2009Akin et al 2008) but no reported club drug use in rural North Carolina (Rhodes et al 2012). The lifetime prevalence of being tested for HIV was generally highest in Latino and Latin American samples, potentially due to emigration from regions where HIV testing is normalized due to higher HIV prevalence rates (Akin et al 2008;Spadafino et al 2016).…”

“…most recent study, suggesting potential influences of epidemic fatigue and the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a preventive medication (Spadafino et al 2016).…”

Sexual and Behavioral Health Disparities Among Sexual Minority Hispanics/Latinos: Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2014

“…14–17 Smoking rates in this sample are higher than those documented in prior studies with sexual minorities and the general population. 18,19 Several factors potentially contribute to health disparities among GLB Latinos, including discrimination in care, 20,21 lack of access to appropriate care, 22 language barriers and documentation status, 23,24 and delayed general and HIV care due to stigma. 25,26 …”