Gay Neighborhoods: Can They Be Identified in a Systematic Way Using Latent Class Analysis?

Identifying gay neighborhoods could help in targeting HIV prevention efforts for men who have sex with men. This study's purpose was to identify gay neighborhoods using latent class analysis (LCA). Data at the ZIP code level were drawn from the American Community Survey, website lists of gay bars and neighborhoods, and the Florida Department of Health HIV surveillance system. A two-class model was selected based on fit. About 9% of the ZIP code data was in class two, which was designated as gay neighborhoods. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to examine agreement between the classification of ZIP codes from LCA and websites. Fair agreement was found (0.2501). Gay neighborhoods could serve as a place to disseminate information about pre-exposure prophylaxis and other methods for HIV prevention. Improved measures, such as the planned question about same-sex spouses for the 2020 US Census, are needed to identify gay neighborhoods in population-level surveys.

Acceptability of the "Love, Sex, & Choices" HIV Prevention Intervention by Hispanic Female College Students.

INTRODUCTION: Hispanic women are affected by HIV. "Love, Sex & Choices" (LSC) is an innovative 12-episode urban soap opera video series targeting young adult Black women streamed to smartphones. This study purpose was to determine whether LSC is an acceptable HIV prevention intervention for female Hispanic college students in South Florida. METHOD: After institutional review board approval, female Hispanic college students were recruited from two campuses to watch the LSC video series and complete an online evaluation survey. RESULTS: Study participants (n =101) evaluated LSC as definitely/probably important for women (97.0%), helpful for making relationship decisions (86.2%), changing attitudes about having sex (79.2%), asking partners to use a condom (80.2%), leaving partners who won't use condoms (74.2%), handling oneself in tough situations in a relationship (79.2%), and getting an HIV test (83.2%). Participants liked/related to LSC and thought their friends would also like the series. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that young Hispanic women related to the video series, were likely to get HIV tested after watching the video series, found the story lines realistic, and thought their friends would like the series. The next step is to test the effectiveness of LSC to change behaviors of young Hispanic women at risk of HIV.

Estimating the size of HIV-negative MSM population that would benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis in Florida.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate the size of the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Florida with high-risk behaviors that would indicate eligibility for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. METHODS: Three methods were used to estimate the MSM population. Estimates from the three methods were averaged, and the number of MSM living with HIV in each zone improvement plan (ZIP) code was subtracted. RESULTS: The average MSM estimate was 1-2184 men (1.5-22.9%) by ZIP code. The size of the MSM population with indications for PrEP use was highest when using estimates of MSM with more than one sex partner in the past year obtained from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system and lowest when the MSM estimate was multiplied by 24.7% (percentage of MSM with PrEP indications from other studies). CONCLUSION: Areas with high numbers of MSM with PrEP indications could be targeted with information to reduce HIV acquisition.

Population-based methods for estimating the number of men who have sex with men: a systematic review.

The objective of this systematic review was to summarise population-based methods (i.e. methods that used representative data from populations) for estimating the population size of men who have sex with men (MSM), a high-risk group for HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Studies using population-based methods to estimate the number or percentage of MSM or gay men were included. Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies used surveillance data, 18 studies used survey data, and six studies used census data. Sixteen studies were conducted in the US, five were conducted in European countries, two were conducted in Canada, three were conducted in Australia, one was conducted in Israel, and one was conducted in Kenya. MSM accounted for 0.03-6.5% of men among all studies, and ranged from 3.8% to 6.4% in the US, from 7000 to 39100 in Canada, from 0.03% to 6.5% in European countries, and from 127947 to 182624 in Australia. Studies using surveillance data obtained the highest estimates of the MSM population size, whereas those using survey data obtained the lowest estimates. Studies also estimated the MSM population size by dimensions of sexual orientation. In studies examining these dimensions, fewer people identified as MSM than reported experience with or attraction to other men. Selection bias, differences in recall periods and sampling, or stigma could affect the estimate. It is important to have an estimate of the number of MSM to calculate disease rates, plan HIV and STI prevention efforts, and to allocate resources for this group.

Social Support, Loneliness, Depressive Symptoms, and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors of Middle-Aged Hispanic Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Middle-aged and older Hispanic men who have sex with men (HMSM) are at risk of health disparities related to HIV infection risk. This study explored the effects of social support, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and sexual risk behaviors on middle-aged and older HMSM, which may result in HIV infection. A sample of 150 South Floridian HMSM, ages 40-65 years, completed instruments that measured social support, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and sexual behaviors. Participants who engaged in sex with a person living with HIV or unknown HIV status or those who had unprotected receptive anal sex reported decreased social support and higher levels of loneliness and depressive symptoms. Results of this study highlight the importance of addressing the intersection of mental health and sexual risk behaviors of middle-aged and older HMSM when developing behavioral interventions aimed at reducing sexual risk behaviors.

Panther Mpower: A Campus-Based HIV Intervention for Young Minority Men who Have Sex with Men.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties remain an epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. This report from the field describes the implementation of a SAMHSA-funded, campus-based initiative to address HIV prevention and testing for young minority men who have sex with men. Outcome criteria are clearly delineated and benchmarks for measuring outcomes are reported.

Young Hispanic Men's HIV and STI Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors.

INTRODUCTION: The rate for new infections of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has increased for Hispanic males. METHOD: This descriptive correlational study describes knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of HIV and other STIs and explores the relationship between age and HIV and STI knowledge among young adult Hispanic males. A sample of 179 Hispanic men aged 18 to 64 years attending college completed the 80-item Community Health Packet, the 18-item Brief HIV Knowledge Questionnaire, and the 27-item STD Knowledge Questionnaire. RESULTS: Almost half of the participants were involved in some form of high-risk sexual practices such as having multiple sex partners, holding apathetic views on condom use, showing low rates of HIV testing, having incorrect knowledge of STI transmission, and holding misconceptions about HIV. Findings included a moderate positive relationship between age (M = 24.05; SD = 7.08) and HIV knowledge scores (M = 13.21; SD = 4.04), r(175) = .43, p < .00, as well as a positive relationship between age (M = 24.05; SD = 7.08) and STI total scores (M = 14.47; SD = 7.20), r(173) = .31, p < .00. CONCLUSION: Study findings reveal the need to continue HIV and STI prevention education programs on college campuses to increase knowledge and help decrease new cases of STIs and HIV in Hispanic men.

HPV and Anal Cancer Knowledge among HIV-Infected and Non-Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of what men who have sex with men (MSM) know about anal cancer in terms of self-care behaviors/practices, human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge, risk awareness, anal cancer screening history, the need to be screened, and how demographic or behavioral practices were associated with knowledge and awareness. METHODS: A convenience sampling method was employed. Participants were recruited in 2014-2015 in venues such as Pride Center events as well as in bars, restaurants, and cafes that cater to a gay clientele. Participants' knowledge of HPV and anal cancer were examined using the Anal Cancer Knowledge Questionnaire (ACKQ). The 65-item survey consisted of demographic variables, questions related to anal health behaviors, practices, and perceptions, HPV and anal cancer knowledge, and HPV and anal cancer risk awareness. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 163 men. The mean age of the participants was 49.6 years. The majorities were white (62.6%), followed by Hispanic (26.4%) and Black (8.0%). Study participants were, to a great extent, uninformed and largely unaware of the link between HPV and anal cancer and the risk that HPV and anal cancer presented to MSM. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that HPV knowledge, P < .001, and risk awareness, P < .001, differed by HIV status. CONCLUSION: In spite of efforts in recent years to raise HPV and anal cancer awareness, those groups most at risk appear to remain uncertain of risk, screening, and measures to protect themselves from the adverse implications of HPV infection.

The Perceived Effects of Condoms on Sexual Experience: A Comparison of Older Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Men.

Heterosexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is increasing in older adult populations around the world. This study compares Hispanic and non-Hispanic men ages 50 years and older currently using prescribed erectile dysfunction medications in relation to their perception of the effect of condoms on sexual experience. A sample of 86 men (40 Hispanic and 46 non-Hispanic men) ages 50-79 years completed the 10-item Effect on Sexual Experience (ESE) subscale. Although there was no difference between the 2 groups on the subscale mean score, t(84) = 1.449, p = .151, analysis of the subscale items found 1 item that was significantly different (p = .005) between the 2 groups, although this difference could have been related to different perceptions of the word disgusting. Hispanic men were also less concerned than non-Hispanic men about condom-related loss of erection. This study adds to the literature on HIV and STD prevention for older Hispanic/Latinos.

Condom attitudes of heterosexual men ages 50 and older using prescribed drugs (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) to treat erectile dysfunction.

The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes about condoms that may affect condom use by heterosexual men ages 50 and older who were sexually active and currently using prescribed oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor medications (Viagra(®), Cialis(®), or Levitra(®)) for treatment of erectile dysfunction. The study was part of a larger study that explored the need for safer-sex health promotion and education for these men. Fifty men completed factor subscales of the Condom Attitude Scale. Subscales were scored and analyzed. Positive factors were found with regard to the Interpersonal Impact, Inhibition, Perceived Risk, Perceived Seriousness, and Global Attitudes subscales. Factors with negative or neutral responses included the Effect on Sexual Experience, Relationship Safety, and Promiscuity subscales. Independent t tests revealed no differences between married and nonmarried men for the mean score on any of the subscales, but there was a difference on the Global Attitude Scale, with younger men having a more positive global attitude than older men. Study findings can be used in the development of health promotion educational activities on condom use as a safer-sex practice.