Same race and older partner selection may explain higher HIV prevalence among black men who have sex with men

Abstract

In a community-based survey in San Francisco, black men who have sex with men (MSM) had higher rates of same-race/ethnicity sexual partnerships and partners 10 or more years older compared with other MSM. Differences in sexual networks may explain why black MSM have higher HIV prevalence than other MSM despite lower levels of risk behavior.

Sexual Mixing Patterns and Partner Characteristics of Black MSM in Massachusetts at Increased Risk for HIV Infection and Transmission

“…10,12,16,17 Recent studies have underscored the importance of focusing on and understanding sexual networks by race and prior research has observed a significant tendency among Black MSM to have more partners of the same race. 13,22,24 Consistent with previous studies, 13,22,24 Black MSM in the current sample had more partners who were Black men (49%) and fewer Hispanic/Latino (40%) or White (13%) male partners. However, in contrast with prior research, relative to participants who had sex last with a White male, participants who had sex last with a Hispanic/Latino male were more likely to have engaged in UAS and those who had sex with a Black male were less likely to report engaging in UAS.…”

“…20,21 Studies have more recently begun to underscore the importance of focusing on and understanding racial dynamics in sexual networks. 13,[22][23][24] For example, Laumann and Youm demonstrated that the incidence and prevalence of HIV and STDs remained higher within Black populations because Black men and women were more likely than White and Latino men and women to have sex exclusively with partners of the same race who were more likely to be HIV-and/or STD-infected. 22 In more recent research focused on MSM, Bingham and colleagues found that racial differences in male partner types partially accounted for elevated rates of HIV infection by examining the role of partner characteristics among 400 MSM ages 23 to 29 in the Los Angeles Young Men's Survey.…”

“…13 Similarly, Berry and colleagues, in an analysis of data from the 2004 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Survey in San Francisco, confirmed a significant tendency among Black MSM to have more partners of the same race. 24 Accordingly, a combination of intraracial and intergenerational sexual mixing may explain the disproportionate rates of HIV and STDs among Black MSM. 25 The primary objective of this study was to investigate the sexual mixing patterns and partner characteristics among Massachusetts Black MSM as a possible explanation for observed racial disparities in HIV and STDs by examining patterns of risky sexual behaviors across partner types.…”

Are Partner Race and Intimate Partner Violence Associated with Incident and Newly Diagnosed HIV Infection in African-American Men Who Have Sex with Men?

“…A study by Hernandez-Romieu et al found that HIV prevalence among Black MSM sexual networks was 36% compared to only 4% among White MSM sexual networks. 15 Previous studies have used these findings to propose that higher HIV incidence and prevalence among Black MSM may be explained by same race 1,3,[16][17][18][19] or older partners. 1,7,16,20,21 However, other analyses have contested the relationship between HIV incidence and partner race 22 or partner age.…”

“…15 Previous studies have used these findings to propose that higher HIV incidence and prevalence among Black MSM may be explained by same race 1,3,[16][17][18][19] or older partners. 1,7,16,20,21 However, other analyses have contested the relationship between HIV incidence and partner race 22 or partner age. 22,23 An analysis of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System found that sexual networks were not influential in explaining the HIV disparity between White and Black MSM.…”