Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and incarceration: The impact on sexual risk-taking, sexually transmitted infections, and depression among Black sexual minority men in HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 061.

Abstract

Black men and people belonging to sexual minority groups are disproportionately impacted by criminal legal involvement and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Traumatic experiences are often associated with later criminal legal involvement, depression symptoms, sexual risk behavior, and STIs. Research on the joint influence of trauma and incarceration on STI risk among racial and/or sexual minority people is limited. This study tested the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and incarceration on sexual risk behavior and STI among Black sexual minority men (SMM), a population that may be at higher risk for contracting STIs. Using data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network 061 Study, a longitudinal study of adult Black SMM in six U.S. cities (N = 855), we tested associations between past 6-month incarceration and subsequent sexual risk behavior, STI, and depression symptoms, for those with and without preincarceration PTSD symptoms. PTSD symptoms were elevated among participants who reported Hispanic ethnicity, having sex with both men and women, and previous incarceration. Although there were no significant differences between recent incarceration and sexual risk for those with and without PTSD, incarceration was linked to some sexual risk behaviors regardless of PTSD symptoms. Among people with PTSD symptoms, there was a higher prevalence of sexual risk and depression symptoms, regardless of incarceration. These findings suggest a potentially compounding influence of PTSD symptoms continued

Medical-Legal Partnerships: a promising approach for addressing health-harming legal needs among people with HIV

“…Furthermore, sexual and gender minorities, who are disproportionately affected by HIV (Jenkins et al, 2023 ; Clair et al, 2024 ; Scanlon et al, 2024 ), face distinct challenges, including societal stigma, gender-based violence and discrimination, and lack of culturally competent care, exacerbating barriers to HIV care and widening the health disparity gap among these marginalized communities (Wilson et al, 2013 ; Nelson et al, 2014 ). Addressing these multifaceted barriers is essential to ensuring equitable access to HIV care and improving outcomes in the HIV care continuum.…”