HIV Testing Patterns Among Urban YMSM of Color

Abstract

The heightened level of risk for HIV infection among African-American and Latino young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is driven by multi-level influences. Using cross-sectional data, we examined HIV testing patterns among urban YMSM of color in a high HIV sero-prevalence area (ages 16 to 21 years). Self-reported frequency of testing was high with 42% of youth reporting testing at a greater frequency than recommended guidelines. There were no differences between less frequent and high frequent testers on sexual risk behaviors. Most (80%) youth cited reassurance of HIV-negative status as a reason for testing. Further, over half of the sample reported numerous other reasons for HIV testing, which spanned individual, partner, social, and structural levels of influence. Approximately half of respondents indicated that peers, family members, and counselors influenced their motivation to get tested. Of concern, youths’ first HIV test occurred approximately two years after their first sexual experience with another male. These results indicate the need to consider developmental issues as well as for comprehensive, multi-level efforts to ensure that YMSM of color test at the CDC-recommended frequency, but not less than this or too frequently.

Mother–Son Communication About Sex and Routine Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Among Younger Men of Color Who Have Sex With Men

“…Notably, we found that 90.3% of YMSM in Project READY had previously tested for HIV and 70.9% of these youth were within the CDC’s testing paradigm for high-risk populations. The high rates of testing in our sample surpass those in previous studies with YMSM of color, which have ranged from 29–80%[20,30]. This may reflect local public health efforts to expand HIV testing among YMSM [31], and/or that many of the youth tested at LGBT-serving organizations, medical settings, or in the House-Ball community, three groups that have been responsive to the epidemic among YMSM.…”

“…In a separate study with a nationally representative sample of male adolescents ages 15–19, mother and father communication about sex predicted having a visit to a regular care provider in the last year[18]. More recently, Leonard et al[20] found that friend and family influences were associated with high-frequency testing among YMSM of color; however, it is unclear whether this association was due to peers, parents, or other family members. Numerous scholars note that parenting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth is markedly different than parenting heterosexual youth[12,13,21].…”

Low Rates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Among Adolescent Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men

“…5-9 In the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS), the lowest lifetime testing rate among MSM was in the youngest age group of 18-19 year olds (75%), and only 64% had been tested in the past year. 5 In the Community Intervention Trial for Youth (CITY), conducted in 1999, researchers found that only 50% of YMSM aged 15-17 years had tested for HIV.…”

“…For example, several studies have shown that Black and Latino YMSM have their first HIV test an average of 2 years after sexual debut. 8,9 This delay in testing constitutes a significant period of time in which YMSM remain unaware of their HIV status, and could be the reason why one study found that one-third of racial/ethnic minority YMSM tested positive on their first HIV test. 8 In comparison, NHBS found that 16% of adult MSM tested HIV-positive on their first HIV test.…”

“…Frequently endorsed reasons for testing include wanting to know an HIV-negative status, concerns about potential HIV exposure, presence of social support, and exposure to HIV prevention information. 6,8,9 However, not much is known about factors that hinder HIV testing, particularly those that relate to structural and psychological barriers, among young men. Therefore, we proposed to investigate the HIV testing behaviors and reported obstacles among a diverse national sample of AGBM aged 14-18 years.…”