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Dibble KE, Murray SM, Wiginton JM, Maksut JL, Lyons CE, Aggarwal R, Augustinavicius JL, Al-Tayyib A, Sey EK, Ma Y, Flynn C, German D, Higgins E, Anderson BJ, Menza TW, Orellana ER, Flynn AB, Wermuth PP, Kienzle J, Shields G, Baral SD. Associations between HIV testing and multilevel stigmas among gay men and other men who have sex with men in nine urban centers across the United States. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1179. [PMID: 36127682 PMCID: PMC9490978 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08572-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Complex manifestation of stigma across personal, community, and structural levels and their effect on HIV outcomes are less understood than effects in isolation. Yet, multilevel approaches that jointly assesses HIV criminalization and personal sexual behavior stigma in relation to HIV testing have not been widely employed or have only focused on specific subpopulations. The current study assesses the association of three types of MSM-related sexual behavior-related stigma (family, healthcare, general social stigma) measured at both individual and site levels and the presence/absence of laws criminalizing HIV transmission with HIV testing behaviors to inform HIV surveillance and prevention efforts among HIV-negative MSM in a holistic and integrated way. Methods We included nine National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) 2017 sites: Baltimore, MD; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Houston, TX; Long Island/Nassau-Suffolk, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Portland, OR; San Diego, CA; and Virginia Beach and Norfolk, VA. Multivariable generalized hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine how sexual behavior stigmas (stigma from family, anticipated healthcare stigma, general social stigma) measured at the individual and site levels and state HIV criminalization legislation (no, HIV-specific, or sentence-enhancement laws) were associated with past-year HIV testing behaviors across sites (n = 3,278). Results The majority of MSM across sites were tested for HIV in the past two years (n = 2,909, 95.4%) with the average number of times tested ranging from 1.79 (SD = 3.11) in Portland, OR to 4.95 (SD = 4.35) in Los Angeles, CA. In unadjusted models, there was a significant positive relationship between stigma from family and being tested for HIV in the past two years. Site-level HIV-specific criminalization laws were associated with an approximate 5% reduction in the prevalence of receiving any HIV test in the past two years after individual level stigma and sociodemographic covariate adjustments (PR = 0.94, 95% CI, 0.90–0.99). Conclusions Structural barriers faced by MSM persist and ending the HIV epidemic in the US requires a supportive legal environment to ensure effective engagement in HIV services among MSM. Home-based solutions, such as self-testing, used to deliver HIV testing may be particularly important in punitive settings while legal change is advocated for on the community and state levels. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08572-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E Dibble
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Sarah M Murray
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - John Mark Wiginton
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jessica L Maksut
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Carrie E Lyons
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rohin Aggarwal
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jura L Augustinavicius
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Alia Al-Tayyib
- Denver Public Health & Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, 80204, USA
| | - Ekow Kwa Sey
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, USA
| | - Yingbo Ma
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, USA
| | - Colin Flynn
- Center for HIV Surveillance, Epidemiology, & Evaluation, Maryland Department of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA
| | - Danielle German
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Emily Higgins
- Division of HIV and STI Programs, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Lansing, MI, 48909, USA
| | - Bridget J Anderson
- Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, 12237, USA
| | - Timothy W Menza
- HIV Data and Analysis Program, Oregon Health Authority, Portland, OR, 97232, USA
| | - E Roberto Orellana
- Regional Research Institute, Portland State University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Anna B Flynn
- Surveillance & Federal Reporting Section, Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health Division, California Department of Health,, San Francisco, CA, 94102, USA
| | - Paige Padgett Wermuth
- Division of Management Policy & Community Health (MPACH), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer Kienzle
- Division of Disease Prevention, Virginia Department of Health, HIV Surveillance, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | - Garrett Shields
- Division of Disease Prevention, Virginia Department of Health, HIV Surveillance, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Meyers-Pantele SA, Sullivan P, Mansergh G, Hirshfield S, Stephenson R, Horvath KJ. Race-Based Medical Mistrust, HIV-Related Stigma, and ART Adherence in a Diverse Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men with HIV. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:1456-1466. [PMID: 34669061 PMCID: PMC9007843 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03500-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Disparities in antiretroviral treatment (ART) access by race for men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV persist. We assessed whether race-based medical mistrust and HIV stigma impact ART adherence among MSM with HIV. Longitudinal data were drawn from a RCT of a messaging intervention to promote sexual health among MSM. Regression models tested associations between baseline race-based medical mistrust, HIV stigma, and ART adherence at follow-up. In multivariable models with the overall sample of MSM with HIV (n = 383), baseline medical mistrust was negatively associated with ART adherence 3-months post-baseline. Among participants of color (i.e., Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, or another race; n = 301), HIV stigma was negatively associated with optimal ART adherence 6-months post-baseline. Medical mistrust was longitudinally associated with reduced ART adherence among racially and ethnically diverse MSM with HIV. HIV-related services might prioritize patients reporting medical mistrust for additional supports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Meyers-Pantele
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Patrick Sullivan
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gordon Mansergh
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sabina Hirshfield
- Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Rob Stephenson
- The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities and the School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Keith J Horvath
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
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Algarin AB, Ibañez GE, Forrest DW, Faraldo M, Spencer EC, Maddox L. Examining the Psychometrics of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Measure for Community HIV-Related Stigma. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:252-260. [PMID: 34283342 PMCID: PMC8770722 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03378-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The research tested the psychometrics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) community HIV-related stigma scale. Data was from men who have sex with men (MSM) NHBS cycles conducted 2011-2017 in Miami-Dade, Florida among n = 1455 participants. MSM were cis-gender male, 18+ years old, reported lifetime oral/anal sex with a male, and lived in Miami-Dade County. We assessed reliability using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega, determined factors using principal factor analysis, and assessed construct validity using five a priori hypotheses. The scale was unidimensional, had questionable internal reliability (α = 0.68, ω = 0.69), and met four of five a priori hypotheses in the expected direction. Correlations were medium-weak in strength and only one was consistently met. Future iterations of the NHBS survey should consider replacing the 4-item community HIV-related stigma scale with an instrument that has superior internal reliability, measures multiple HIV-related stigma dimensions, and demonstrates stronger evidence of validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel B Algarin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gillman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Gladys E Ibañez
- Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St. AHC5-478, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - David W Forrest
- Department of Anthropology, University of Miami, PO Box: 248106, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Monica Faraldo
- Department of Anthropology, University of Miami, PO Box: 248106, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Emma C Spencer
- Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32399, USA
| | - Lorene Maddox
- Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32399, USA
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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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Chen YT, Duncan DT, Del Vecchio N, Timmins L, Pagkas-Bather J, Lacap S, Hotton A, Knox J, Hanson H, Koli K, Durrell M, Dehlin J, Schneider JA. COVID-19-Related Stressors, Sex Behaviors, and HIV Status Neutral Care Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Chicago, USA. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 88:261-271. [PMID: 34310447 PMCID: PMC8518204 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, including Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) and transgender women (BTW). We investigated associations of COVID-19 stressors and sex behaviors with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) among BMSM and BTW. METHODS As part of the Neighborhoods and Networks (N2) study, we conducted virtual interviews during peak COVID-19 infectivity in Chicago among BMSM and BTW (April-July 2020). Survey questions included multilevel COVID-19 stressors, sex behaviors, and current PrEP/ART use and access. Poisson regressions were used to examining relationships between COVID-19 stressors, sex behaviors, and PrEP/ART use/access. RESULTS Among 222 participants, 31.8% of participants not living with HIV reported current PrEP use and 91.8% of participants living with HIV reported ART use during the pandemic. Most (83.3% and 78.2%, respectively) reported similar or easier PrEP and ART access during the pandemic. Physical stress reaction to COVID-19 [adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 2.1; confidence interval (CI): 1.3 to 3.5] and being in close proximity with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 (aPR = 1.7; CI: 1.1 to 2.8) were associated with current PrEP use. Intimate partner violence (aPR = 2.7; CI: 1.0 to 7.2) and losing health insurance (aPR = 3.5; CI: 1.1 to 10.7) were associated with harder ART access. Travel-related financial burden was associated with harder access in PrEP (aPR = 3.2; CI: 1.0 to 10.1) and ART (aPR = 6.2; CI: 1.6 to 24.3). CONCLUSIONS Multiple COVID-19 stressors were found to interfere with PrEP and ART use and access among BMSM and BTW. Contextually relevant strategies (eg, promoting telehealth and decreasing transportation burden) to address COVID-19 stressors and their sequelae should be considered to minimize disruption in HIV biomedical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Tyng Chen
- Department of Public Health, William Paterson University of New Jersey, Wayne, NJ
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Dustin T. Duncan
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
| | - Natascha Del Vecchio
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Liadh Timmins
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
| | - Jade Pagkas-Bather
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Shaina Lacap
- Department of Public Health, William Paterson University of New Jersey, Wayne, NJ
| | - Anna Hotton
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Justin Knox
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
| | | | | | - Mainza Durrell
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Jessica Dehlin
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - John A. Schneider
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; and
- Crown School of Social Work, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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Whiteman A, Baugher A, Sionean C. Assessing self-reported discrimination among men who have sex with men (MSM). AIDS 2021; 35:141-146. [PMID: 33048888 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of four forms of sexual identity discrimination among MSM in 23 US metropolitan statistical areas, examine racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in each form of discrimination. METHODS We examined interview data collected during 2017 for National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (n = 10 029 respondents) and used generalized linear models to assess the association between the prevalence of reported discrimination during the previous 12 months and selected sociodemographic groups. RESULTS Overall, 34% of participants reported experiencing verbal discrimination; 16%, discrimination in a workplace, school, or a healthcare setting; and 8%, physical assault. MSM who had reported experiencing discrimination were most likely to be young, had achieved lower education, and had lower incomes. High prevalence of reported discrimination was associated with young age, lower education, lower household income, sexual identity disclosure, and lower perceived community tolerance of gay or bisexual persons. CONCLUSION MSM discrimination affects different groups and occurs in multiple settings. Addressing discrimination should be an integral aspect of multifaceted efforts to improve MSM health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Whiteman
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Georgia, assigned to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
| | - Amy Baugher
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Catlainn Sionean
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia
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Walters SM, Braksmajer A, Coston B, Yoon I, Grov C, Downing MJ, Teran R, Hirshfield S. A Syndemic Model of Exchange Sex Among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 49:1965-1978. [PMID: 31965453 PMCID: PMC7321855 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01628-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Exchange sex is a behavior associated with HIV transmission risk among men who have sex with men (MSM). Few studies have examined exchange sex among HIV-positive MSM. We utilize a syndemic framework to account for co-occurring psychosocial problems that suggest the presence of intertwining epidemics (i.e., syndemics), which have not been examined within the context of exchange sex among HIV-positive MSM. In 2015, MSM were recruited via online sexual networking Web site and app advertisements for Sex Positive![+], a video-based online intervention that aimed to improve health outcomes for men living with HIV. Participants completed surveys every three months for a year. Surveys covered demographics, drug use, exchange sex, intimate partner violence (IPV), and past 2-week depressive symptoms. We conducted three logistic regression models to assess syndemic factors associated with exchange sex in the past 3 months. Of the 722 HIV-positive MSM included in the sample, 59 (8%) reported exchange sex in the past 3 months at 12-month follow-up. HIV-positive MSM who had more syndemic factors had greater odds of exchange sex. Exchange sex was associated with being African-American/Black, age 18-29 years, past and present experiences with IPV, stimulant use, polysubstance use, and depressive symptoms. Exchange sex was associated with multiple psychosocial factors, indicating exchange sex may be part of a syndemic involving substance use, depression, HIV, and IPV. Interventions should address the social and behavioral circumstances that perpetuate environments that can foster multiple negative health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan M Walters
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 380 2nd Ave., Suite 306, NY 10010, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | - Bethany Coston
- Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Irene Yoon
- Research and Advisory, Gartner L2, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Grov
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and the CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Richard Teran
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sabina Hirshfield
- Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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