National Trends in Sexual Behavior, Substance Use and HIV Testing Among United States Men Who have Sex with Men Recruited Online, 2013 Through 2017

Abstract

The American Men's Internet Survey (AMIS) is conducted annually with 10,000 men age 15 + who have sex with men (MSM). Modeling was used with 39,863 AMIS surveys from 4 cycles between December 2013 to February 2017 to identify temporal trends in sexual behavior, substance use, and testing behavior (within 12 months preceding interview) stratified by participants' self-reported HIV status. HIV-negative/unknown status MSM had significant increases in condomless anal intercourse (CAI), marijuana use, use of other illicit substances, sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses, and HIV or STI testing (testing only increased among MSM age 25 +). HIV-negative/unknown status MSM had significant decrease in CAI with an HIV-positive or unknown status partner. HIV-positive MSM had significant increases in CAI, methamphetamine use, and STI diagnoses/testing. Although encouraging, the few indicators of improvement in HIV/STI sexual health practices are not consistently seen across sub-groups of MSM and may be counteracted by growing proportions of MSM engaging in CAI and acquiring STIs.

Characterizing the Impact of COVID-19 on Men Who Have Sex with Men Across the United States in April, 2020

“…AMIS is conducted in annual rounds with a goal of at least 10,000 complete surveys from eligible US MSM each year [8,9]. Briefly, participants are recruited each year through convenience sampling from a variety of websites and through social media applications using banner ads and email blasts to members.…”

Rapid Uptake of Home-Based HIV Self-testing During Social Distancing for SARS-CoV2 Infection in Oregon

“…Public health agencies must find alternative ways to provide HIV testing while social distancing measures are in effect. Apps represent an opportunity to provide that service [9].…”

“…In fact, the American Men's Internet Survey (AMIS) found that 22% of MSM who use apps had never tested for HIV [9]. In addition, 77% of MSM who use apps wanted social or sexual networking apps to add a feature that would allow them to order an HIV home test from the app.…”

The Annual American Men's Internet Survey of Behaviors of Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States: 2016 Key Indicators Report (Preprint)

“…The methods and previous cycles' data have been previously published, including an analysis of multi-year trends [1][2][3][4]. This supplemental report updates the previous manuscript with the most current data available from AMIS (AMIS-2016).…”

“…There were 2,545 (12.36%) surveys determined to likely be from duplicate participants. Deduplication of survey responses was performed in the same manner as in previous AMIS cycles [1][2][3][4]. Among unduplicated surveys, almost twothirds (64.51%) were considered successful, i.e.…”