|
L. V. Torian*1, B. A. Koblin2, V. A. Guilin2, L. Ren2, H. A. Makki1, D. A. MacKellar3, and L. A. Valleroy3.
1New York City Dept. of Hlth. AIDS Res./HIV Serosurvey Program, NY;2New York Blood Ctr., NY; and3CDC, Atlanta, GA.
Background:Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of antibody to HIV and associated behavioral risk in men who have sex with men (MSM) aged 23—29 in New York City.
Methods:A cross-sectional anonymous behavioral risk and seroprevalence survey of MSM attending public venues was performed. Consenting respondents underwent a structured personal interview, pretest counseling, and phlebotomy and received an appointment to return for their results.
Results:The sample (N = 542) was 20% white, 27% black, 36% Hispanic, 1% Native Hawaiian, 7% Asian/ Pacific Islander, 3% Native American/Alaskan, and 6% "other" race/ethnicity. 38% were age 23 or 24. 72% considered themselves gay, while 21% deemed themselves bisexual. 96% had ever had unprotected anal sex (UAI) with a man, 58% in the past six months. 97% had ever been diagnosed with STD. HIV prevalence was 17% overall and 2% in whites, 33% in blacks, 14% in Hispanics, 0% in API, and 14% in others. Controlling for age, sexual orientation, history of STD, UAI, and number of partners, the significant risk factors for HIV were black race/ethnicity (adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.8,2.3) and history of forced sex (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3, 1.6). 86% of the sample had previously been tested for HIV. 69%, including 60% of self-identified gay men and 96% of self-identified bisexuals, had ever had sex with a woman.
Conclusions:The wide racial disparities in seroprevalence suggest that the risk factors prevalent in the sample overall pose particular dangers when practiced against a high background prevalence, such as that in black MSM in NYC; these risks and unmeasured other characteristics may sustain hyperendemicity or fuel a resurgent HIV epidemic in NYC MSM.
© 8th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections