2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

326863
Psychosocial vulnerabilities associated with HIV infection among Black MSM in the deep South


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

Nhan Truong, PhD, Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental & Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, Jackson, MS
DeMarc A. Hickson, PhD, MPH, Center for Research, Evaluation, Environmental and Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc., Jackson, MS
Nikendrick Sturdevant, BS, Center for Research, Evaluation, Environmental and Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc., Jackson, MS
William Johnson, MS, Center for Research, Evaluation, and Environmental & Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Jackson, MS
Angela Johnson, MPPA, Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental & Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Jackson, MS
Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, Infectious Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Background: The psychosocial vulnerability (childhood sexual abuse, homelessness, incarceration, substance use, and depression) of HIV infection among Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the deep South is relatively unexplored. Our aim is to determine if psychosocial vulnerabilities are associated with HIV infection among Black MSM in Jackson, MS, a population heavily impacted by HIV. We hypothesized that Black MSM in Jackson, MS who experience psychosocial vulnerabilities individually and collectively, are more likely to be HIV-infected.

Methods: Participants underwent several assessments and health screenings at a local public clinic. Study questionnaires for psychosocial vulnerabilities were administered via audio computer-assisted self-interview. The study variables of interest were participant demographics, psychosocial vulnerabilities, and HIV test results. Logistic regression analyses, adjusting for age, education, income, employment and relationship status, were performed to test the hypothesis.

Results: Participants consisted of 178 primarily young adult (82% between 18-29 years old) Black MSM (50 HIV-Positive and 128 HIV-Negative) residing in Jackson, MS. Collectively, psychosocial vulnerabilities predicted HIV infection (AOR=1.39, p=.03), increasing the odds of HIV infection by 39%. Individually, incarceration (AOR=2.60, p=.02), and substance use (AOR=2.44, p=.02) were associated with greater odds of HIV infection.

Conclusions: The findings support the view that psychosocial vulnerabilities to HIV infection exist among Black MSM. Importantly, the syndemic effects of these five psychosocial factors may function collectively to magnify the effects of the HIV epidemic in this population. The study's findings have important implications for developing more effective HIV interventions tailored to Black MSM in the deep South.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
List two psychosocial vulnerability factors linked to likelihood of HIV infection among African American MSM in the deep South. Describe one way the findings from the study can be used to develop a more effective HIV intervention program that is tailored to Black MSM in the deep South.

Keyword(s): HIV Risk Behavior, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have years of experiences conducting research in the realm of HIV. I have been the Co-Investigator of a federally funded grant focusing on psychosocial and ecological factors that contribute to HIV and STD infection. Among my scientific interests has been the role of identity, body image, masculinity, and minority stress in HIV sexual risk and testing behaviors, and HIV/STD infections among ethnic minority MSM populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3158.0: HIV/AIDS and Men Who Have Sex with Men