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Gibson LP, Kramer EB, Wrigley J, Probst M, Bryan AD. Gay community involvement and the sexual health behaviours of sexual minority men: a systematic review and directions for future research. Health Psychol Rev 2024; 18:299-318. [PMID: 37458157 DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2023.2236180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Considerable research has examined how involvement in gay-affiliated communities is associated with sexual health behaviours in sexual minority men (i.e., gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men), yet findings in this domain are often contradictory and inconclusive. This systematic review aimed to (a) synthesise the related empirical literature, and (b) identify potential factors driving inconsistent findings. Peer-reviewed publications were included if they contained quantitative data and at least one measure of the statistical association between gay community involvement and sexual health behaviour. The search strategy was implemented in six databases and returned 6,409 articles, of which 86 met the inclusion criteria. There was considerable heterogeneity in how gay community involvement was assessed across studies. Although gay community involvement was consistently associated with greater engagement in protective behaviours across studies, the association between gay community involvement and risk behaviours appeared to depend on how gay community involvement was conceptualised and measured (e.g., nightlife involvement vs. political activism). Findings emphasise a need for studies that employ validated measures that reflect the multidimensional nature of gay community involvement, as well as research designs better suited to address the causal effects of community involvement on HIV/STI transmission and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel P Gibson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Emily B Kramer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Jordan Wrigley
- Center for Data & Digital Scholarship, University Libraries, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Maxwell Probst
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Angela D Bryan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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Hussen SA, Drumhiller K, Emerenini S, Moore SJ, Jones MD, Camacho-González A, Ransome Y, Elopre L, Del Río C, Harper GW. Understanding social capital among young black gay and bisexual men living with HIV: a qualitative exploration. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2022; 24:1498-1513. [PMID: 34506268 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2021.1974561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Social capital, defined as the sum of an individual's resource-containing, reciprocal and trustworthy social network connections, has been associated with improved engagement in care among people living with HIV globally. We conducted a qualitative interview study of social capital among 28 young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men ages 18-29 living with HIV in Atlanta, Georgia. We asked participants about bonding capital (relationships between individuals with similar demographic characteristics), bridging capital (relationships with individuals of different backgrounds), collective efficacy (involvement with community organisations) and satisfaction with their social networks. We found that participants described bonding capital from friends and family in depth, while more gaps were noted in bridging capital and collective efficacy. Bonding capital derived from families was especially critical to participants' satisfaction with their social capital. Findings suggest that interventions targeting young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men should build upon strong bonds with family and friends, and/or fill gaps in bridging capital and collective efficacy by connecting young men to mentors and organisations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia A Hussen
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Sabina Emerenini
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shamia J Moore
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Marxavian D Jones
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andrés Camacho-González
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yusuf Ransome
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Latesha Elopre
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Carlos Del Río
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gary W Harper
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Quinn KG, Dickson-Gomez J, Pearson B, Marion E, Amikrhanian Y, Kelly JA. Intersectional Resilience Among Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men, Wisconsin and Ohio, 2019. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:S405-S412. [PMID: 35763748 PMCID: PMC9241476 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. To investigate resilience strategies used by Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) to navigate racism and heterosexism. Methods. In 2019, we conducted in-depth interviews with 46 Black MSM in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Cleveland, Ohio. Thematic analysis, informed by intersectionality, was used to identify intersectional resilience within the context of participants' lives. Results. Our analyses revealed ways in which Black MSM respond to stigma and oppression. We identified the following themes that capture these experiences: pride in intersectional identities, perseverance, community advocacy, and social support. Our analyses reveal how men draw on these assets and resources to positively adapt despite experiences of racism and heterosexism. Conclusions. Intersectional resilience can support Black MSM in navigating racism and heterosexism. However, public health interventions at the institutional and system levels are needed to directly target the root causes of oppression and support resources that facilitate intersectional resilience. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S4):S405-S412. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306677).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine G Quinn
- The authors are with the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Katherine G. Quinn, Broderick Pearson, Yuri Amirkhanian, and Jeffrey A. Kelly are with the Center for AIDS Intervention Research. Julia Dickson-Gomez and Erica Marion are with the Institute for Health and Equity
| | - Julia Dickson-Gomez
- The authors are with the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Katherine G. Quinn, Broderick Pearson, Yuri Amirkhanian, and Jeffrey A. Kelly are with the Center for AIDS Intervention Research. Julia Dickson-Gomez and Erica Marion are with the Institute for Health and Equity
| | - Broderick Pearson
- The authors are with the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Katherine G. Quinn, Broderick Pearson, Yuri Amirkhanian, and Jeffrey A. Kelly are with the Center for AIDS Intervention Research. Julia Dickson-Gomez and Erica Marion are with the Institute for Health and Equity
| | - Erica Marion
- The authors are with the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Katherine G. Quinn, Broderick Pearson, Yuri Amirkhanian, and Jeffrey A. Kelly are with the Center for AIDS Intervention Research. Julia Dickson-Gomez and Erica Marion are with the Institute for Health and Equity
| | - Yuri Amikrhanian
- The authors are with the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Katherine G. Quinn, Broderick Pearson, Yuri Amirkhanian, and Jeffrey A. Kelly are with the Center for AIDS Intervention Research. Julia Dickson-Gomez and Erica Marion are with the Institute for Health and Equity
| | - Jeffrey A Kelly
- The authors are with the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Katherine G. Quinn, Broderick Pearson, Yuri Amirkhanian, and Jeffrey A. Kelly are with the Center for AIDS Intervention Research. Julia Dickson-Gomez and Erica Marion are with the Institute for Health and Equity
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Wiginton JM, Murray SM, Augustinavicius J, Maksut JL, Anderson BJ, Sey K, Ma Y, Flynn CP, German D, Higgins E, Menza TW, Orellana ER, Flynn AB, Al-Tayyib A, Kienzle J, Shields G, Lopez Z, Wermuth P, Baral SD. Metrics of Sexual Behavior Stigma Among Cisgender Men Who Have Sex With Men in 9 Cities Across the United States. Am J Epidemiol 2022; 191:93-103. [PMID: 34664625 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwab240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States are stigmatized for their same-sex practices, which can lead to risky sexual behavior, potentiating risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Improved measurement is necessary for accurately reporting and mitigating sexual behavior stigma. We added 13 sexual behavior stigma items to local surveys administered in 2017 at 9 sites in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system, which uses venue-based, time-sampling procedures to survey cisgender MSM in US Census Metropolitan Statistical Areas. We performed exploratory factor analytical procedures on site-specific (Baltimore, Maryland; Denver, Colorado; Detroit, Michigan; Houston, Texas; Nassau-Suffolk, New York; Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles, California; San Diego, California; and Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Virginia) and pooled responses to the survey items. A 3-factor solution-"stigma from family" (α = 0.70), "anticipated health-care stigma" (α = 0.75), and "general social stigma" (α = 0.66)-best fitted the pooled data and was the best-fitting solution across sites. Findings demonstrate that MSM across the United States experience sexual behavior stigma similarly. The results reflect the programmatic utility of enhanced stigma measurement, including tracking trends in stigma over time, making regional comparisons of stigma burden, and supporting evaluation of stigma-mitigation interventions among MSM across the United States.
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Moore SE, Wierenga KL, Prince DM, Gillani B, Mintz LJ. Disproportionate Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Perceived Social Support, Mental Health and Somatic Symptoms in Sexual and Gender Minority Populations. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2021; 68:577-591. [PMID: 33399504 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2020.1868184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise, and this virus has asymmetric impacts on marginalized communities though specific impacts on sexual and gender minority communities are not well understood. From March 23 to June 20, 2020, in an online cross-sectional survey among 1380 US adults, we assessed physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, rumination, and perceived social support in order to describe differences between sexual and gender minority (n = 290) and cisgender heterosexual (n = 1090) respondents. Sexual and gender minority respondents had more frequent COVID-19-associated physical symptoms and depression and anxiety symptoms. Sexual and gender minorities had a significantly higher proportion of depression and anxiety scores exceeding the clinical concern threshold. Longitudinal studies on the physical and psychological impacts of COVID-19 among sexual and gender minority communities are needed to inform interventions to eliminate these disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Emory Moore
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Kelly L Wierenga
- Indiana University School of Nursing , Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Dana M Prince
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Braveheart Gillani
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Laura Janine Mintz
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine , Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Metrohealth , Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Kaufman MR, Casella A, Wiginton JM, Xu W, DuBois DL, Arrington-Sanders R, Simon J, Levine D. Mentoring Young African American Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men on Sexual Health: Formative Research for an HIV Mobile Health Intervention for Mentors. JMIR Form Res 2020; 4:e17317. [PMID: 33331822 PMCID: PMC7775199 DOI: 10.2196/17317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND African American men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. Young MSM account for 75% of this burden for youth. When youths lack socially protective resources such as strong networks of adults, including parents, teachers, or community members, mentors may play a critical role in promoting health behaviors. This is especially true for youth at risk for HIV, such as African American youth with sexual and gender minority (SGM) identities. In the past decade, natural mentoring and mentoring programs have proliferated as a key prevention and intervention strategy to improve outcomes for young people at risk for poor academic, social, and health issues. Mentors appear to be able to facilitate health promotion among young SGM by modeling healthy behaviors; however, mentors' knowledge and resource needs regarding sexual health topics including HIV are understudied, as is the potential role of mobile technology in enhancing mentoring relationships and the ability of mentors to learn about sensitive issues faced by youth. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to explore how mentoring plays a role in the sexual health of African American SGM youth and understand how mentoring relationships can be strengthened through mobile technology to promote youth HIV prevention behaviors. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with African American SGM youth mentees (n=17) and mentors (n=20) to such youths in 3 Mid-Atlantic cities. Mentee interviews focused on discussions regarding sexual health and HIV and how a mentor could broach such topics. Mentor interviews explored whether sexual health and HIV are currently mentoring topics, mentors' knowledge and confidence in mentoring on these issues, and barriers to discussions. All participants were asked if a mobile app could help facilitate mentoring on sensitive health issues, particularly HIV and sexual health. Data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for relevant themes. RESULTS Sexual health was a common topic in mentoring relationships, occurring more in natural mentorships than in mentoring program pairs. Mentors and mentees felt positive about such discussions. Mentors expressed having limited knowledge beyond condom use and HIV testing, and expressed a need for more complete resources. Both mentors and mentees had mixed comfort levels when discussing sexual health. Sufficient trust and shared lived experiences made discussions easier. Mentees have multifaceted needs; however, mentors stated that an app resource that provided self-training, resources, support from other mentors, and tips for better mentoring could prove beneficial. CONCLUSIONS For the African American SGM community, access to natural mentors is crucial for young people to learn healthy behaviors. A mobile resource to assist mentors in confidently having discussions with mentees may be a promising way to promote healthy practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R Kaufman
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Albert Casella
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - John Mark Wiginton
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Wenjian Xu
- Department of Sociology & Psychology, School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - David L DuBois
- Division of Community Health Sciences and Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | | | - Deb Levine
- DKF Consulting, Oakland, CA, United States
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Harper GW, LaBoy R, Castillo M, Johnson GL, Hosek SG, Jadwin-Cakmak L. It's a Kiki!: Developmental benefits of the Kiki scene for Black gay/bisexual/transgender adolescents/emerging adults. JOURNAL OF LGBT YOUTH 2020; 19:31-52. [PMID: 35003510 PMCID: PMC8735768 DOI: 10.1080/19361653.2020.1813672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Younger members of the House and Ball Community (HBC) have created an emerging social scene called "Kiki" that has shared elements with the HBC. Given the growing popularity of the Kiki scene in urban communities with large numbers of Black gay, bisexual, and transgender (GBT) adolescents and emerging adults, it is important to understand the developmental benefits of the Kiki scene. We conducted individual in-depth interviews with 30 GBT adolescents and emerging adults (ages 15-24) who attended Kiki-related events and 15 older opinion leaders affiliated with the HBC. Participants described how the Kiki scene provides them with a range of supportive and affirming functions and offers a place where they can achieve important developmental milestones. The results clustered into three primary thematic areas of development: Executive Functioning Development, Social-Emotional Development, and Physical and Emotional Safety during Development. Within each of these thematic areas are sub-themes that further explicate the ways in which these functions are supported. We believe this to be one of the first papers exclusively focused on the positive aspects of the Kiki scene for adolescent and emerging adult development, and we encourage other researchers to further explore this emerging socializing force and its potential benefits to development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary W. Harper
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Richard LaBoy
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marne Castillo
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gabriel L. Johnson
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Abstract
Concurrent sexual partnerships (i.e., relationships that overlap in time) contribute to higher HIV acquisition risk. Social capital, defined as resources and connections available to individuals is hypothesized to reduce sexual HIV risk behavior, including sexual concurrency. Additionally, we do not know whether any association between social capital and sexual concurrency is moderated by gender. Multivariable logistic regression tested the association between social capital and sexual concurrency and effect modification by gender. Among 1445 African Americans presenting for care at an urban STI clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, mean social capital was 2.85 (range 1-5), mean age was 25 (SD = 6), and 62% were women. Sexual concurrency in the current year was lower for women compared to men (45% vs. 55%, χ2(df = 1) = 11.07, p = .001). Higher social capital was associated with lower adjusted odds of sexual concurrency for women compared to men (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 0.62 (95% CI 0.39-0.97), p = 0.034), controlling for sociodemographic and psychosocial covariates. Interventions that add social capital components may be important for lowering sexual risk among African Americans in Mississippi.
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Zarwell M, Ransome Y, Barak N, Gruber D, Robinson WT. PrEP indicators, social capital and social group memberships among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2019; 21:1349-1366. [PMID: 30724712 PMCID: PMC6684860 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2018.1563912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to reduce HIV among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men include increasing awareness and uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Social capital may facilitate engagement in HIV prevention. Membership of social groups including chosen families (i.e. friends as family relationships) - one potential indicator of social capital - may be protective against HIV risk and infection. In this cross-sectional quantitative study, we examined social capital items and social group membership in association with PrEP outcomes. In 2014, the New Orleans arm of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance recruited 353 HIV-negative men, of whom 46% identified as Black, Latino or Other Race and 54% as Non-Hispanic White, using venue-based sampling to complete a structured survey. Multivariable logistic regression models tested the relations between social group membership and social capital with PrEP indicators. Men who reported community group participation were more likely to be aware of PrEP compared to those who did not. Men in chosen families associated with a family name were least likely to be aware of and willing to take PrEP compared to those not in any other social groups. Social group membership is a potential social capital indicator for assessing HIV prevention among men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Zarwell
- Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Yusuf Ransome
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Narquis Barak
- NO/AIDS Task Force d.b.a CrescentCare Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - DeAnn Gruber
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- STD/HIV Program, Louisiana Office of Public Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - William T. Robinson
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- STD/HIV Program, Louisiana Office of Public Health, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Zarwell M, Robinson WT. Network Properties Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Vary by Race. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:1315-1325. [PMID: 30725398 DOI: 10.1007/s/10461-019-02416-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The HIV burden among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) may be related to variations in network characteristics of the individual's social and sexual network. This study investigates variations in network properties among 188 Black and 295 White GBM recruited in New Orleans during the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance in 2014. Participants described up to five people who provided social support and five sex partners in the past 3 months. Network properties and network dissimilarity indicators were aggregated to the participant level as means or proportions and examined using PROC GLM. White participants reported larger networks (p = 0.0027), had known network members longer (p = 0.0033), and reported more substance use (p < 0.0001) within networks. Black participants reported networks with fewer men (p = 0.0056) and younger members (p = 0.0110) than those of White GBM. Network properties among GBM differ by race in New Orleans which may inform prevention interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Zarwell
- Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, 2071 N Summit Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, USA.
- School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
| | - William T Robinson
- School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Louisiana Office of Public Health STD/HIV Program, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Abstract
The HIV burden among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) may be related to variations in network characteristics of the individual's social and sexual network. This study investigates variations in network properties among 188 Black and 295 White GBM recruited in New Orleans during the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance in 2014. Participants described up to five people who provided social support and five sex partners in the past 3 months. Network properties and network dissimilarity indicators were aggregated to the participant level as means or proportions and examined using PROC GLM. White participants reported larger networks (p = 0.0027), had known network members longer (p = 0.0033), and reported more substance use (p < 0.0001) within networks. Black participants reported networks with fewer men (p = 0.0056) and younger members (p = 0.0110) than those of White GBM. Network properties among GBM differ by race in New Orleans which may inform prevention interventions.
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12
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Ransome Y, Zarwell M, Robinson WT. Participation in community groups increases the likelihood of PrEP awareness: New Orleans NHBS-MSM Cycle, 2014. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213022. [PMID: 30861033 PMCID: PMC6414008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) have the highest proportion of incident HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use and screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are primary HIV prevention strategies, however, uptake remains low. Social capital, collective resources generated through social connections, are associated with lower HIV risk and infection. We investigated social capital in association with PrEP indicators among GBM. Methods Analyses included (N = 376) GBM from the 2014 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) in New Orleans. Multiple regression methods assessed the association between one item within each of eight domains from the Onyx and Bullen Social Capital Scale and: awareness and willingness to use PrEP. Analyses are adjusted for age, race, education, sexual intercourse with women, and health insurance. Results Forty percent of GBM were 18–29 years, 52 percent White. Sixty percent were willing to use PrEP. Social capital was above 50 percent across 7 of 8 indicators. Community group participation (vs no participation) was associated with higher likelihoods of PrEP awareness (adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR] = 1.41, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.95). None of the seven remaining social capital indicators were significantly associated with any of the PrEP outcomes. Conclusions Community groups and organizations could be targeted for interventions to increase uptake of HIV prevention strategies among GBM in New Orleans
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Ransome
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Meagan Zarwell
- Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - William T. Robinson
- Louisiana Office of Public Health, STD/HIV Program, and Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, LSU School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
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Zarwell M, Robinson WT. Development of a social capital scale for constructed families of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208781. [PMID: 30543653 PMCID: PMC6292593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite previous empirical studies which have linked social capital to a number of health outcomes, few studies have investigated sub-group specific social capital among populations at increased risk for HIV infection such as gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM). Many GBM of color belong to constructed families in which friends refer to each other with kinship terms such as parents and children. No studies have measured social capital provisions within constructed family networks. This study developed a preliminary instrument for assessing social capital among constructed families. The network level social capital scale incorporated the following theoretical domains hypothesized to define social capital derived from network membership: social influence, multiplex ties, heterogeneity, social cohesion, trust, quality of support, and compositional quality. A cross-sectional survey administered an eight-item scale to 131 GBM who belonged to constructed families. The factor structure and confirmatory factor analysis were assessed. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha to measure internal consistency. A final single factor solution was obtained which was comprised of six items with high factor loadings. The resulting measures were highly correlated with an alpha of 0.84 and each factor loading was well above 0.3. This study assessed the psychometric properties of a preliminary network level social capital instrument among GBM in constructed families. Future studies may utilize or adopt this scale to measure network-level social capital within other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Zarwell
- LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Public Health, Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
- NO/AIDS Task Force, d.b.a CrescentCare, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
- Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - William T. Robinson
- NO/AIDS Task Force, d.b.a CrescentCare, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
- Louisiana Office of Public Health, STD/HIV Program, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
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