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Comparison of Selected Sociodemographic Characteristics and Sexual Risk Behaviors of Black/African American Men Who Have Sex with Men Only and Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women, Southeastern United States, 2013–2016

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Abstract

Purpose

Compare selected sociodemographic and sexual risk characteristics of black/African American (black) men who have sex with men only (MSMO) and men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) in the southeastern United States (the South).

Methods

We conducted bivariate and multivariable analyses to explore the sociodemographic characteristics and sexual risk behaviors of 584 MSMW and MSMO in the South.

Results

MSMW had lesser odds of having a college or graduate degree (aOR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.54) and having > 2 male oral sex partners (aOR = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.48) compared to MSMO. MSMW had greater odds of being homeless (aOR = 3.11; 95% CI = 1.80, 5.38) and selecting “top” sexual position (aOR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.72) compared to MSMO.

Conclusion

MSMW in the South experience social and structural factors that may affect their risk for HIV infection. Strategies to address these factors should be considered in prevention and care efforts for this population.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the participating men in Jackson, MS and Atlanta, GA.

Funding

This work was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [grant number PS003315].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, 100 ORAU Way, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA

    Malendie T. Gaines

  2. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Centers for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS E-45, Atlanta, GA, 30333, Georgia

    Donna Hubbard McCree, Kirk D. Henny & Madeline Y. Sutton

  3. ICF, 3 Corporate Square NE, Suite 370, Atlanta, GA, 30329, Georgia

    Zaneta Gaul

  4. My Brothers’ Keeper, 510 George Street, Suite 100, Jackson, MS, 39202, USA

    DeMarc A. Hickson

  5. Us Helping Us, Inc., 3636 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA

    DeMarc A. Hickson

  6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, Georgia

    Madeline Y. Sutton

Authors
  1. Malendie T. Gaines
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  2. Donna Hubbard McCree
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  5. DeMarc A. Hickson
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Correspondence to Malendie T. Gaines.

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Gaines, M.T., McCree, D.H., Gaul, Z. et al. Comparison of Selected Sociodemographic Characteristics and Sexual Risk Behaviors of Black/African American Men Who Have Sex with Men Only and Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women, Southeastern United States, 2013–2016. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 7, 84–89 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-019-00636-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-019-00636-2

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