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Sexual Orientation- and Race-Based Discrimination and Sexual HIV Risk Behavior Among Urban MSM

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Abstract

Understanding what social factors are associated with risk of HIV acquisition and transmission among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) is a critical public health goal. Experiencing discrimination may increase risk of HIV infection among MSM. This analysis assessed relations between experiences of sexual orientation- and race-based discrimination and sexual HIV risk behavior among MSM in New York City. 1,369 MSM completed a self-administered computerized assessment of past 3-month sexual behavior, experience of social discrimination and other covariates. Regression models assessed relations between recent experience of discrimination and sexual HIV risk behavior. Mean age was 32 years; 32 % were white; 32 % Latino/Hispanic; 25 % African American/Black. Of MSM who self-reported HIV-positive or unknown status (377), 7 % (N = 27) reported having unprotected insertive anal intercourse with an HIV-negative or unknown status partner (“HIV transmission risk”). Of MSM who self-reported HIV-negative status (992), 11 % (110) reported unprotected receptive anal intercourse with an HIV-positive or unknown status partner (“HIV acquisition risk”). HIV acquisition risk was positively associated with sexual orientation-based discrimination in home or social neighborhoods, but not race-based discrimination. We observed that sexual orientation-based discrimination was associated with sexual HIV risk behavior among urban-dwelling MSM. Addressing environmental sources of this form of discrimination, as well as the psychological distress that may result, should be prioritized in HIV prevention efforts.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the assistance of Krista Goodman, DaShawn Usher, Travis Cronin, Jermaine McCrossin, John Bonelli, Geneva Ortiz, Kiwan Stewart, Kimberly Morales, Evelyn Rivera, Blaz Bush, Heriberto Oquendo, Jr., Michael Hernandez, and Damon Jacobs. We also thank the individuals who gave their time and efforts to participate in this study. This study was supported by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development R01 HD059729 to Dr. Beryl Koblin of the New York Blood Center. Dr. Victoria Frye’s work was also supported through a National Institute on Drug Abuse mentored career development award (K01 DA-020774).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, 310 East 67th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Victoria Frye & Emily Greene

  2. Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Victoria Frye

  3. Data Management Services, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA

    Vijay Nandi

  4. Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA

    James Egan & Emily Greene

  5. Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Magdalena Cerda

  6. Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA

    Hong Van Tieu, Debbie Lucy, Eduardo Baez & Beryl A. Koblin

  7. Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, USA

    Danielle C. Ompad

  8. Department of Statistics and Biostatistics and Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA

    Donald R. Hoover

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  1. Victoria Frye
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  2. Vijay Nandi
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  3. James Egan
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  11. Beryl A. Koblin
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Correspondence to Victoria Frye.

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For the NYCM2M Study Team.

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Frye, V., Nandi, V., Egan, J. et al. Sexual Orientation- and Race-Based Discrimination and Sexual HIV Risk Behavior Among Urban MSM. AIDS Behav 19, 257–269 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0937-2

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