Social networks and social support among ball-attending African American men who have sex with men and transgender women are associated with HIV-related outcomes

Arnold, Emily; Sterrett-Hong, Emma; Jonas, Adam; Pollack, Lance M.

doi:10.1080/17441692.2016.1180702

Cited by 55 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The use of social networks emerged as a key theme in navigation strategies. Alternative family structures and strong community supports are frequent characteristics of queer communities, 36 , 37 and particularly characteristic of the “punk/queer” community in NOLA, which is anecdotally associated with a wide national network of social connection. The data showed more use of social networks to access CAM for those within this community, suggesting that GM individuals outside this smaller subset may not have access to this resource.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Tiptoeing Around the System”: Alternative Healthcare Navigation Among Gender Minorities in New Orleans

et al. 2018

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Purpose: Gender Minority (GM) individuals experience healthcare access barriers, including financial concerns and discrimination, which influence their health seeking behaviors. This study explores the alternative navigation strategies used by GM individuals to cope with these barriers and access care, both biomedical and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with GM individuals (n=18) and healthcare providers (n=5) identified through purposive sampling. Semistructured guides were used to elicit information about healthcare seeking strategies and experiences. Transcribed interview data were coded, sorted, and analyzed for key themes.Results: Commonly discussed healthcare access barriers included the following: identifying a competent provider, costs and insurance obstacles, and anticipated discrimination. Respondents expressed a need for gender-affirming care within the biomedical system, and alternative navigation strategies to overcome access barriers, including travelling abroad for surgical procedures, ordering hormones online, and sharing with friends. Respondents discussed CAM principally related to emotional health, preferring CAM to biomedical offerings. Utilizing social networks to access all care modalities was common.Conclusions: The healthcare-seeking behavior of GM individuals demonstrates great resilience. This population is committed to accessing gender-affirming care regardless of the associated risks of care outside of provider supervision. The healthcare community needs to eliminate access barriers and support harm reduction strategies. CAM for emotional health support and the role of social networks in accessing care resources should be better integrated into care for this population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Tiptoeing Around the System”: Alternative Healthcare Navigation Among Gender Minorities in New Orleans

et al. 2018

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“…With this information, programs and interventions can be designed that build on existing human and social capital in this community in order to prevent the spread of HIV. As systems of social support and identity-affirmation, houses and families are considered sources of resilience that support and protect their members from the stresses that YBMSM often endure (Arnold, Sterrett-Hong, Jonas, & Pollack, 2016; Kubicek et al, 2013; Wong et al, 2014). For many, the stability a house or family provides cannot be overstated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social-structural properties and HIV prevention among young men who have sex with men in the ballroom house and independent gay family communities

Young

Jonas

Michaels

et al. 2017

Social Science & Medicine

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The endogenous social support systems of young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM), like surrogate families and social networks, are considered crucial assets for HIV prevention in this population. Yet, the extent to which these social systems foster sexual health protections or risks remains unclear. We examine the networked patterns of membership in ballroom houses and independent gay families, both Black gay subcultures in the United States, and how these memberships are related to HIV protective and risk traits of members. Drawing from a population-based sample of 618 YBMSM living in Chicago between June 2013 and July 2014, we observe a suite of protective and risk traits and perform bivariate analyses to assess each of their associations with being a member of a house or family. We then present an analysis of the homophilous and heterophilous mixing on these traits that structures the patterns of house and family affiliations among members. The bivariate analyses show that members of the house and family communities were more likely than non-members to report protective traits like being aware of PrEP, having health coverage, having a primary care doctor, and discouraging sex drug use among peers. However, members were also more likely to engage in the use of sex drugs. With respect to how these traits inform specific house/family affiliations, results show that members who had a recent HIV test, who were PrEP aware, or who engaged in exchange sex were more likely to belong to the same house or family, while HIV positive individuals were less likely to cluster within houses or families. These findings provide insights regarding the strengths and vulnerabilities of the house and gay family communities that can inform more culturally specific interventions that build on the existing human and social capital in this milieu.

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“…In one study it was found that greater density amongst members of a social network was associated with lower rates of serodiscordant condomless intercourse (SDCI) with a non-primary partner, an effect that did not differ by race/ethnicity [19]. Another study found no connection between social network density and sexual risk behavior [20]. ("racial disparity" OR "racial disparities" OR health status disparities OR healthcare disparities OR African americans OR latinos OR minorities OR ethnic OR ethnicity OR black OR "racial inequity" OR minority) AND (hiv infections OR "hiv transmission" OR acquired immunodeficiency syndrome OR "hiv seropositivity" OR sexually transmitted diseases OR STI OR gonorrhea OR syphilis OR chlamydia OR HPV OR "sexual risk behavior" OR "condomless sex" OR "condomless anal intercourse" OR "unprotected sex" OR "sex drug use" OR "unprotected intercourse") AND The studies that focused on size and density of sexual networks were not conclusive.…”

Section: Size and Densitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…emotional, instrumental, informational, appraisal) [24]. Two studies included measures of "HIV-related" social support [15,20]. Most studies Full-text articles assessed for eligibility (n = 75 )…”

Section: Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Networks in Racial Disparities in HIV Incidence Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States

et al. 2020

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Network factors have been proposed as potential drivers of racial disparities in HIV among Black and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). This review aimed to synthesize the extant literature on networks and racial disparities in HIV among MSM and identify potential directions for future research. We searched databases for peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2008 and July 1, 2018. Articles were included if the sample was comprised primarily of racial/ethnic minority MSM and measured one or more network characteristics. (n = 25). HIV prevalence in networks, social support, and structural barriers were linked to disparities in HIV for Black MSM. Future research should focus on intervention development around social support and other strategies for risk reduction within networks. Given the contribution of structural factors to racial/ethnic HIV disparities, network-level interventions should be paired with policies that improve access to housing, jobs, and education for MSM. Keywords Racial disparities • Networks • Systematic review • HIV/AIDS • Men who have sex with men Resumen Los factores de redes han sido propuestos como posibles elementos contribuyentes a las disparidades raciales en el VIH entre hombres Afro-Americanos y Latinos que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH). Esta revisión sintetiza la literatura existente sobre redes y disparidades raciales en el VIH entre HSH e identifica posibles direcciones para investigaciones en el futuro. Revisamos estudios publicados entre el 1 de enero del 2008 y el 1 de julio, 2018. Los estudios se incluyeron si la muestra estuvo compuesta principalmente por HSH de minorías raciales/étnicas y si midieron una o más características de la red (n = 25). La prevalencia del VIH en redes, el apoyo social, y las barreras estructurales estaban vinculadas a los disparidades en el VIH entre Afro-Americanos y Latinos HSH. Investigaciones en el futuro deberían centrarse en el desarrollo de intervenciones relacionadas con el apoyo social y otras estrategias para la reducción de riesgo dentro de redes. Dada la importancia de factores estructurales, las intervenciones de red deben estar emparejadas con políticas que mejoren el acceso a la vivienda, el empleo, y la educación para los HSH de minorías raciales/étnicas.

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Social networks and social support among ball-attending African American men who have sex with men and transgender women are associated with HIV-related outcomes

Cited by 55 publications

References 33 publications

“Tiptoeing Around the System”: Alternative Healthcare Navigation Among Gender Minorities in New Orleans

“Tiptoeing Around the System”: Alternative Healthcare Navigation Among Gender Minorities in New Orleans

Social-structural properties and HIV prevention among young men who have sex with men in the ballroom house and independent gay family communities

The Role of Networks in Racial Disparities in HIV Incidence Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States

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