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Torres RMC, Bastos LS, Gomes MFDC, Moreira RI, Périssé ARS, Cruz MMD. Risk assessment for HIV infection in men who have sex with men and the contribution of sexual partner networks. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2021; 26:3543-3554. [PMID: 34468650 DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232021269.2.36912019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the risk of HIV infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) by developing an index that considers sex partner networks. The index variables were age, ethnicity/skin color, schooling, relationship type, condom use in receptive and insertive relationships, self-perception of the possibility of HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections, and rapid HIV testing results. We used data from a cross-sectional MSM egocentric network survey conducted in Rio de Janeiro between 2014 and 2015. The initial research volunteer is called ego, each partner is called alter, and each pair of people in a relationship is called the dyad. Multiple logistic regression was used to define the coefficients of the equations for the elaboration of the indices. The index ranged from 0 to 1; the closer to 1, the higher the risk of HIV infection. HIV prevalence was 13.9% among egos. The mean egos index with an HIV-reactive test was 57% higher than non-reactive, and the same profile was observed in the index values of dyads. The index allowed the incorporation of network data through the dyads and contributed to the identification of individuals with a higher likelihood of acquiring HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Maria Cardoso Torres
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fiocruz. R. Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro. 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brasil.
| | - Leonardo Soares Bastos
- Programa de Computação Científica, Fiocruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London United Kingdom
| | | | | | - André Reynaldo Santos Périssé
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Fiocruz. Rio de Janeiro RJ Brasil
| | - Marly Marques da Cruz
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Fiocruz. Rio de Janeiro RJ Brasil
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2
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Jing F, Zhang Q, Tang W, Wang JZ, Lau JTF, Li X. Reconstructing the social network of HIV key populations from locally observed information. AIDS Care 2021:1-8. [PMID: 33565316 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1883514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Traditional surveys only provide local observations about the topological structure of isolated individuals. This study aims to develop a novel data-driven approach to reconstructing the social network of men who have sex with men (MSM) communities from locally observed information by surveys. A large social network consisting of 1075 users and their public relationships was obtained manually from BlueD.com. We followed the same survey-taking procedure to sample locally observed information and adapted an Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) to model the full structure of the BlueD social network (number of local nodes N = 1075, observed average degree k = 6.46). The parameters were learned and then used to reconstruct the MSM social networks by two real-world survey datasets in Hong Kong (N = 600, k = 5.61) and Guangzhou (N = 757, k = 5). Our method performed well on reconstructing the BlueD social network, with a high accuracy (90.3%). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using parameters learning methods to reconstruct the social networks of HIV key populations. The method has the potential to inform data-driven intervention programs that need global social network structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengshi Jing
- School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingpeng Zhang
- School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiming Tang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Johnson Zixin Wang
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Joseph Tak-Fai Lau
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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3
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Personal and Network-Related Factors Associated to Diagnosis Disclosure Reactions for Children and Adolescents Living with HIV. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:562-570. [PMID: 32876906 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-03018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The process of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis disclosure for vertically infected young people living with HIV has proven decisive for acceptance/adherence to treatment. Herein, we present a cross-sectional study aiming at evaluating how individual and network related variables are associated with reactions to HIV disclosure among them. We used the egocentric approach with a structured questionnaire applied to individuals aged 15-25 years in an HIV referral center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Outcome variable referred to adoption or not of risk behavior after diagnostic disclosure, was classified as "good"/"bad" reactions. Results showed that, of the 80 study participants, 25% reported a "bad reaction" to diagnostic disclosure, an outcome that was more common for patients with at least one friend in their social support network (OR 4.81; 95%CI [1.05-22.07]). In conclusion, a "bad reaction" to HIV serological disclosure may be associated with inadequate structure of the individual's social support network.
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4
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Violette LR, Niemann LA, McMahan VM, Katz DA, Chavez PR, Clark HA, Cornelius-Hudson A, Ethridge SF, McDougal SJ, Ure Ii G, Stekler JD, Delaney KP. Group Sex Events Among Cisgender Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Survey Study to Explore Participation and Risk-Taking Behaviors. JMIR Res Protoc 2019; 8:e15426. [PMID: 31774403 PMCID: PMC6906620 DOI: 10.2196/15426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Group sex events (GSEs) are common among cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM), pose a unique risk profile for HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) transmission, and may be on the rise, in part because of Web-based networking platforms. However, collecting data on GSEs can be challenging, and many gaps exist in our knowledge about GSE participation among MSM. Objective The objective of this study was to develop survey questions addressing aggregate and partner-specific group sex behaviors to measure prevalence of GSEs and associated risks in persons participating in Project Diagnostic Evaluation To Expand Critical Testing Technologies (DETECT), including MSM seeking HIV and STD testing at a public clinic in Seattle, Washington. Methods We developed a computer self-assisted survey that included questions about participant demographics, sexual history, and risk behaviors, including group sex, as a part of Project DETECT, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–funded study evaluating point-of-care HIV tests. Aggregate and partner-specific questions asked about participation in all GSEs, threesomes, and four-or-more-somes including questions about number and HIV status of sex partners and condom use during the events. To evaluate question performance, we assessed the discrepancies in reporting between the aggregate and partner-specific questions, quantified question refusal rates, and calculated the additional time required to answer the GSE questions. Information about network density (number of partnerships of overlapping duration) was estimated and compared for MSM who did and did not report GSEs. Results Among 841 visits by 690 MSM who were asked any group sex survey question, participation in a GSE of any type in the past 3 months was reported at 293 visits (293/841, 34.8%). We found that 9.0% (76/841) of MSM in the sample reported ≥1 four-or-more-some in the partner-specific questions but did not report in the aggregate. The proportion of refusals on any given aggregate GSE-related question ranged from 0% (0/273) to 10.6% (15/141) (median 2.6%) and partner-specific questions ranged from 0% (0/143) to 22% (5/23) (median 3.0%), with questions about four-or-more-somes having the highest proportions of refusals. Completing the aggregate group sex questions added 1 to 2 minutes and the partner-specific questions added an additional 2 to 4 minutes per partner to the total survey length. As expected, the partner-specific GSE questions documented higher density of sexual networks that was not captured by asking about total partner counts and overlap of specific partnerships. Conclusions We found that the Project DETECT survey was able to obtain nuanced information about GSEs. The question skip patterns and consistency checks were effective, and survey fatigue was minimal. More research is needed on GSEs, and our survey represents a promising data collection tool to help fill gaps in knowledge about the subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren R Violette
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Lisa A Niemann
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Vanessa M McMahan
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - David A Katz
- HIV/STD Program, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Pollyanna R Chavez
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Hollie A Clark
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | - Steven F Ethridge
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sarah J McDougal
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - George Ure Ii
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Joanne D Stekler
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kevin P Delaney
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Ramadhani HO, Liu H, Nowak RG, Crowell TA, Ndomb T, Gaydos C, Peel S, Ndembi N, Baral SD, Ake J, Charurat ME. Sexual partner characteristics and incident rectal Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM): a prospective cohort in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. Sex Transm Infect 2017; 93:348-355. [PMID: 28235839 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-052798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND STIs including Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) potentiate HIV acquisition and transmission especially among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM). We investigated the influence of sexual network composition on incident rectal NG and/or CT infections among Nigerian MSM. METHODS TRUST/RV368 is a cohort of MSM recruited using respondent-driven sampling at trusted community centres in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. MSM respondents (egos) provided STI risk factors and demographic information for up to five of their most recent sexual partners (alters) within their sexual networks. Egos were tested for HIV, NG and CT every 3 months. Log-binomial regression was used to assess associations between alter characteristics and incident NG and/or CT. RESULTS Between March 2013 and October 2015, 492 MSM were longitudinally screened for STIs, of which 28.0% (n=138) were positive for incident rectal STI (61 NG only, 42 CT only and 35 NG and CT). Among egos, condom use was associated with STIs (half of the time vs never (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 0.5; 95% CI 0.3 to 0.8), always/almost always vs never (aRR 0.7; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.0)). Incident STIs were associated with having a younger alter ≤19 versus 30 years (aRR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.0), HIV infection (aRR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0) and engaging in sex under the influence of alcohol (aRR 1.4 95% CI 1.1 to 1.7) among regular alters and age ≤19 versus 30 years (aRR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.6), HIV infection (aRR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8) and engaging in sex under the influence of alcohol (aRR 1.2 95% CI 1.0 to 1.4) among casual alters. CONCLUSIONS Given the centrality of sexual partner characteristics as risks for incident STIs among Nigerian MSM, there is a need to move beyond individual interventions and syndromic surveillance and get 'out there' in the STI management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habib O Ramadhani
- Institute of Human Virology University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hongjie Liu
- University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebecca G Nowak
- Institute of Human Virology University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Trevor A Crowell
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Teclaire Ndomb
- Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - Charlotte Gaydos
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheila Peel
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicaise Ndembi
- Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie Ake
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Man E Charurat
- Institute of Human Virology University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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6
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Serosorting and Sexual Risk for HIV Infection at the Ego-Alter Dyadic Level: An Egocentric Sexual Network Study Among MSM in Nigeria. AIDS Behav 2016; 20:2762-2771. [PMID: 26910338 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1311-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this egocentric network study was to investigate engagement in serosorting by HIV status and risk for HIV between seroconcordant and serodiscordant ego-alter dyads. Respondent-driving sampling was used to recruit 433 Nigerian men who have sex with men (MSM) from 2013 to 2014. Participant (ego) characteristics and that of five sex partners (alters) were collected. Seroconcordancy was assessed at the ego level and for each dyad. Among 433 egos, 18 % were seroconcordant with all partners. Among 880 dyads where participants knew their HIV status, 226 (25.7 %) were seroconcordant, with 11.7 % of HIV positive dyads seroconcordant and 37.0 % of HIV negative dyads seroconcordant. Seroconcordant dyads reported fewer casual sex partners, less partner concurrency, and partners who had ever injected drugs, but condom use did not differ significantly. Serosorting may be a viable risk reduction strategy among Nigerian MSM, but awareness of and communication about HIV status should be increased. Future studies should assess serosorting on a partner-by-partner basis.
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7
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Leblanc J, Rousseau A, Hejblum G, Durand-Zaleski I, de Truchis P, Lert F, Costagliola D, Simon T, Crémieux AC. The impact of nurse-driven targeted HIV screening in 8 emergency departments: study protocol for the DICI-VIH cluster-randomized two-period crossover trial. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:51. [PMID: 26831332 PMCID: PMC4736610 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1377-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2010, to reduce late HIV diagnosis, the French national health agency endorsed non-targeted HIV screening in health care settings. Despite these recommendations, non-targeted screening has not been implemented and only physician-directed diagnostic testing is currently performed. A survey conducted in 2010 in 29 French Emergency Departments (EDs) showed that non-targeted nurse-driven screening was feasible though only a few new HIV diagnoses were identified, predominantly among high-risk groups. A strategy targeting high-risk groups combined with current practice could be shown to be feasible, more efficient and cost-effective than current practice alone. METHODS/DESIGN DICI-VIH (acronym for nurse-driven targeted HIV screening) is a multicentre, cluster-randomized, two-period crossover trial. The primary objective is to compare the effectiveness of 2 strategies for diagnosing HIV among adult patients visiting EDs: nurse-driven targeted HIV screening combined with current practice (physician-directed diagnostic testing) versus current practice alone. Main secondary objectives are to compare access to specialist consultation and how early HIV diagnosis occurs in the course of the disease between the 2 groups, and to evaluate the implementation, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of nurse-driven targeted screening. The 2 strategies take place during 2 randomly assigned periods in 8 EDs of metropolitan Paris, where 42 % of France's new HIV patients are diagnosed every year. All patients aged 18 to 64, not presenting secondary to HIV exposure are included. During the intervention period, patients are invited to fill a 7-item questionnaire (country of birth, sexual partners and injection drug use) in order to select individuals who are offered a rapid test. If the rapid test is reactive, a follow-up visit with an infectious disease specialist is scheduled within 72 h. Assuming an 80 % statistical power and a 5 % type 1 error, with 1.04 and 3.38 new diagnoses per 10,000 patients in the control and targeted groups respectively, a sample size of 140,000 patients was estimated corresponding to 8,750 patients per ED and per period. Inclusions started in June 2014. Results are expected by mid-2016. DISCUSSION The DICI-VIH study is the first large randomized controlled trial designed to assess nurse-driven targeted HIV screening. This study can provide valuable information on HIV screening in health care settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02127424 (29 April 2014).
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Leblanc
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Groupe Hospitalier des Hôpitaux Universitaires Est Parisien, Clinical Research Center of East of Paris (CRC-Est), F75012, Paris, France. .,Université Paris Saclay - Université Versailles Saint-Quentin, Doctoral School of Public Health (EDSP), UMR 1173, F92380, Garches, France.
| | - Alexandra Rousseau
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier des Hôpitaux Universitaires Est Parisien, Clinical Research Unit of East of Paris (URC-Est), F75012, Paris, France.
| | - Gilles Hejblum
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP UMRS 1136), F75012, Paris, France.
| | - Isabelle Durand-Zaleski
- AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, URC Eco Île-de-France, F75004, Paris, France. .,Université Paris Diderot, Univ Paris 07, INSERM, ECEVE, UMR 1123, F75019, Paris, France. .,AP-HP, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, Santé publique, F94010, Créteil, France.
| | - Pierre de Truchis
- AP-HP, Hôpital Raymond-Poincaré, Infectious Disease Department, F92380, Garches, France.
| | - France Lert
- Université Paris Sud, Univ Paris 11, INSERM, Centre for research in Epidemiology and population health, U 1018, F94800, Villejuif, France.
| | - Dominique Costagliola
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP UMRS 1136), F75012, Paris, France.
| | - Tabassome Simon
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier des Hôpitaux Universitaires Est Parisien, Department of clinical pharmacology and Clinical Research Center of East of Paris (CRC-Est), F75012, Paris, France. .,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR 1148, F75018, Paris, France.
| | - Anne-Claude Crémieux
- AP-HP, Hôpital Raymond-Poincaré, Infectious Disease Department, F92380, Garches, France. .,Université Versailles Saint-Quentin, UMR 1173, F92380, Garches, France.
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Maulsby C, Jain K, Sifakis F, German D, Flynn CP, Holtgrave D. Individual-Level and Partner-Level Predictors of Newly Diagnosed HIV Infection Among Black and White Men Who Have Sex with Men in Baltimore, MD. AIDS Behav 2015; 19:909-17. [PMID: 25092514 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-014-0861-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Black MSM continue to be the group most disproportionately impacted by HIV in the United States. This study assesses the relationship between partner-level and respondent-level characteristics and newly diagnosed HIV infection among a sample of MSM. Ego-centric data were gathered using venue-based time-space sampling on 335 men who reported on a total of 831 male anal sex partners. In multivariate analyses, age of partner, HIV status of partner, and respondent having had an STD in the past twelve months were associated with a newly diagnosed HIV infection among black MSM. Efforts for black MSM are needed that aim to increase HIV and STD testing, foster open communication between partners about HIV status, and address social determinants of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Maulsby
- Department of Health Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,
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Mustanski B, Starks T, Newcomb ME. Methods for the design and analysis of relationship and partner effects on sexual health. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2014; 43:21-33. [PMID: 24243003 PMCID: PMC3924882 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-013-0215-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Sexual intercourse involves two people and many aspects of sexual health are influenced by, if not dependent on, interpersonal processes. Yet, the majority of sexual health research involves the study of individuals. The collection and analysis of dyadic data present additional complexities compared to the study of individuals. The aim of this article was to describe methods for the study of dyadic processes related to sexual health. One-sided designs, including the PLM, involve a single individual reporting on the characteristics of multiple romantic or sexual relationships and the associations of these factors with sexual health outcomes are then estimated. This approach has been used to study how relationship factors, such as if the relationship is serious or casual, are associated with engagement in HIV risk behaviors. Such data can be collected cross-sectionally, longitudinally or through the use of diaries. Two-sided designs, including the actor-partner interdependence model, are used when data are obtained from both members of the dyad. The goal of such approaches is to disentangle intra- and inter-personal effects on outcomes (e.g., the ages of an individual and his partner may influence sexual frequency). In distinguishable datasets, there is some variable that allows the analyst to differentiate between partners within dyads, such as HIV status in a serodiscordant couple. When analyzing data from these dyads, effects can be assigned to specific types of partners. In exchangeable dyadic datasets, no variable is present that distinguishes between couple members across all dyads. Extensions of these approaches are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Mustanski
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2700, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,
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Kapadia F, Siconolfi DE, Barton S, Olivieri B, Lombardo L, Halkitis PN. Social support network characteristics and sexual risk taking among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of young, urban men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav 2013; 17:1819-28. [PMID: 23553346 PMCID: PMC3761803 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0468-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Associations between social support network characteristics and sexual risk among racially/ethnically diverse young men who have sex with men (YMSM) were examined using egocentric network data from a prospective cohort study of YMSM (n = 501) recruited in New York City. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between social support network characteristics and sexual risk taking behaviors in Black, Hispanic/Latino, and White YMSM. Bivariate analyses indicated key differences in network size, composition, communication frequency and average relationship duration by race/ethnicity. In multivariable analyses, controlling for individual level sociodemographic, psychosocial and relationship factors, having a sexual partner in one's social support network was associated with unprotected sexual behavior for both Hispanic/Latino (AOR = 3.90) and White YMSM (AOR = 4.93). Further examination of key network characteristics across racial/ethnic groups are warranted in order to better understand the extant mechanisms for provision of HIV prevention programming to racially/ethnically diverse YMSM at risk for HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Kapadia
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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11
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Latkin C, Yang C, Tobin K, Penniman T, Patterson J, Spikes P. Differences in the social networks of African American men who have sex with men only and those who have sex with men and women. Am J Public Health 2011; 101:e18-23. [PMID: 21852650 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2011.300281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We compared social network characteristics of African American men who have sex with men only (MSMO) with social network characteristics of African American men who have sex with men and women (MSMW). METHODS Study participants were 234 African American men who have sex with men who completed a baseline social network assessment for a pilot behavioral HIV prevention intervention in Baltimore, Maryland, from 2006 through 2009. We surveyed the men to elicit the characteristics of their social networks, and we used logistic regression models to assess differences in network characteristics. RESULTS MSMO were significantly more likely than were MSMW to be HIV-positive (52% vs 31%). We found no differences between MSMO and MSMW in the size of kin networks or emotional and material support networks. MSMW had denser sexual networks, reported more concurrent and exchange partners, used condoms with more sexual partners, and reported interaction with a larger number of sexual partners at least once a week. CONCLUSIONS Although there were many similarities in the social and sexual network characteristics of MSMO and MSMW, differences did exist. HIV prevention interventions should address the unique needs of African American MSMW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Latkin
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Hampton House, 624 North Broadway, Room 737, Baltimore, MD 21205.
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12
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Latkin C, Yang C, Srikrishnan AK, Solomon S, Mehta SH, Celentano DD, Kumar MS, Knowlton A, Solomon SS. The relationship between social network factors, HIV, and Hepatitis C among injection drug users in Chennai, India. Drug Alcohol Depend 2011; 117:50-4. [PMID: 21315523 PMCID: PMC3112240 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2010] [Revised: 01/09/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine whether social network factors predict HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) serostatus after controlling for individual-level factors at baseline among a cohort of male injection drug users in Chennai, India. METHODS The sample, which was recruited through street outreach, consists of 1078 males who reported having injected drugs in the last 6 months. RESULTS The participants reported 3936 social support and risk network members. HIV and HCV positive serostatus were negatively associated with network member providing emotional support, and positively associated with network member providing material support. In addition, HCV positivity was associated with network member being an active drug user known for more than 10 years and network member being male kin networks, even after adjusting for individual demographic factors and risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that social network factors are significantly linked to HIV and HCV status among IDUs in Southern India and highlight the mixed effects of social capital on health. Future HIV/HCV prevention efforts should incorporate IDU peers to alter drug network injection risk norms. For drug users who have minimal network support, support groups and other informal and formal support mechanisms may be need to help them with health care and psychological support needs for dealing with HIV/HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Latkin
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Cui Yang
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore. USA
| | | | - Suniti Solomon
- YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRGCARE), Chennai, India
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore. USA
| | | | | | - Amy Knowlton
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore. USA
| | - Sunil Suhas Solomon
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore. USA,YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRGCARE), Chennai, India
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Egan JE, Frye V, Kurtz SP, Latkin C, Chen M, Tobin K, Yang C, Koblin BA. Migration, neighborhoods, and networks: approaches to understanding how urban environmental conditions affect syndemic adverse health outcomes among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav 2011; 15 Suppl 1:S35-50. [PMID: 21369730 PMCID: PMC3084486 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-011-9902-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Adopting socioecological, intersectionality, and lifecourse theoretical frameworks may enhance our understanding of the production of syndemic adverse health outcomes among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM). From this perspective, we present preliminary data from three related studies that suggest ways in which social contexts may influence the health of MSM. The first study, using cross-sectional data, looked at migration of MSM to the gay resort area of South Florida, and found that amount of time lived in the area was associated with risk behaviors and HIV infection. The second study, using qualitative interviews, observed complex interactions between neighborhood-level social environments and individual-level racial and sexual identity among MSM in New York City. The third study, using egocentric network analysis with a sample of African American MSM in Baltimore, found that sexual partners were more likely to be found through face-to-face means than the Internet. They also observed that those who co-resided with a sex partner had larger networks of people to depend on for social and financial support, but had the same size sexual networks as those who did not live with a partner. Overall, these findings suggest the need for further investigation into the role of macro-level social forces on the emotional, behavioral, and physical health of urban MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E. Egan
- Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Victoria Frye
- Laboratory of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA, ;
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steven P. Kurtz
- Division of Applied Interdisciplinary Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Carl Latkin
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Minxing Chen
- Division of Applied Interdisciplinary Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Karin Tobin
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Cui Yang
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Beryl A. Koblin
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
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