Young Men's Disclosure of Same Sex Behaviors to Healthcare Providers and the Impact on Health: Results from a US National Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

To promote HIV-testing and offer optimal care for men who have sex with men (MSM), health-care providers (HCPs) must first be aware of their patients’ sexual behaviors. Otherwise, HCPs may overlook MSM’s risks for HIV infection and their special health-care needs. For MSM, reporting their same-sex behaviors to HCPs (disclosure to HCPs) may promote their linkage to HIV prevention and treatment cascade and improve their health outcomes. No literature review has been conducted to examine the relationship between disclosure to HCPs and uptake of HIV-testing among MSM. The current study reviewed and synthesized findings from 29 empirical studies published in English by 2016. We summarized the rates of MSM’s disclosure to HCPs, investigated the association between disclosure and HIV-testing among MSM, identified potential facilitators and barriers for disclosure, and discussed the implications of our findings in research and clinical practices. The disclosure rates varied across subgroups and study settings, ranging from 16% to 90% with a median of 61%. Disclosure to HCPs was positively associated with uptake of HIV-testing. African American MSM were less likely to disclose to HCPs. MSM who lived in urban settings with higher education attainment and higher income were more likely to disclose. MSM tended to perceive younger or gay-friendly doctors as safer targets of disclosure. Clinics with LGBT-friendly signs were viewed as safer contexts for disclosure. Having previous communications about substance use, sex, and HIV with HCPs could also facilitate disclosure. The main reasons for nondisclosure included lack of probing from HCPs, concerns on confidentiality breach and stigma, and perceived irrelevance with services. Providing appropriate trainings for HCPs and creating gay-friendly clinical settings can be effective strategies to facilitate disclosures of same-sex behaviors among MSM and meet their specific medical needs. Interventions to promote disclosure should give priorities to MSM from the most marginalized subgroups (e.g., MSM in rural areas, MSM of ethnic minorities).

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32. Health Care Utilization Among a National Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men Recruited from Online Social and Sexual Networks

Journal of Adolescent Health ◽

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.10.087 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. S36 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joshua G. Rosenberger ◽

Nathan Stupiansky ◽

Greg D. Zimet ◽

Bree Weaver ◽

David S. Novak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Utilization ◽

Young Men ◽

National Sample ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Sexual Networks ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Social And Sexual Networks

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Barriers towards HPV Vaccinations for Boys and Young Men: A Narrative Review

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13081644 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1644

Author(s):

Maria Grandahl ◽

Tryggve Nevéus

Keyword(s):

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Young Men ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Attitudes And Beliefs ◽

National Immunization ◽

Sex With Men

Background: HPV vaccination of both girls and boys can protect against infection and eliminate the risk for HPV-associated cancer. Due to a common misconception that the virus only poses risks to women, vaccine coverage is suboptimal among men in many countries. It is urgent to identify barriers to vaccination of boys and men. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of publications examining attitudes and beliefs regarding HPV vaccination for boys and young men. The electronic databases searched were PubMed, PsychInfo and Scopus (December 2020; last update July 2021). A total of 103 original articles were included in the final analysis. Results: The central barriers against vaccination of boys and men are: (1) lack of knowledge, (2) vaccine hesitancy in general, (3) lack of recommendation from and/or discussions with healthcare providers, (4) cost and logistics, and (5) the idea that HPV vaccination may promote promiscuity. Men who have sex with men and families belonging to ethnic minorities express a need for information tailored to their situation. Conclusions: Boys should be included in national immunization programs and men should also be offered catch-up vaccinations. Future studies should focus on addressing vaccine hesitancy and developing interventions to promote pan-gender HPV vaccination.

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Assessing the Determinants of Quality of Life and the Impact on HIV Prevention Measures among HIV-Negative and Status-Unknown Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Study in Two U.S. Metropolitan Areas

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19020726 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 726

Author(s):

Yu Liu ◽

Savanah Russ ◽

Jason Mitchell ◽

Sarahmona Przybyla ◽

Chen Zhang

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Young Men ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The Impact ◽

Hiv Negative

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the United States (U.S.) are disproportionally burdened by HIV and experience adverse social determinants of health. Minimal research has examined quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial/behavioral determinants among HIV-negative or status-unknown YMSM. We conducted a study with YMSM from two U.S. cities to assess their QoL scores, and whether specific QoL domains (e.g., physical, psychological, social, and environment) were associated with their demographics, psychosocial determinants, behavioral risk factors, and HIV prevention measures. Black YMSM, YMSM of low socioeconomic status (below high school education, income < $20,000, and lack of health insurance), and YMSM who did not disclose their sexual orientation had the lowest QoL scores across all domains. Substance use and unprotected anal intercourse were negatively associated with men’s physical/psychosocial health. Housing/food instability and perceived stress were among the strongest predictors of lower QoL in all domains. Higher physical/psychological and environment QoL scores were associated with a higher likelihood of HIV testing and PrEP use. The identification of YMSM within these demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial sub-groups is important for targeted intervention to enhance their well-being and engagement with HIV prevention.

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Disclosure of Same-Sex Sexual Practices to Family and Healthcare Providers by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Nigeria

Archives of Sexual Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10508-020-01644-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Afoke Kokogho ◽

◽

Senate Amusu ◽

Stefan D. Baral ◽

Manhattan E. Charurat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Providers ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Sexual Practices ◽

Same Sex ◽

Sex With Men

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The Impact of Advertisement Messaging on Enrollment of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men for Web-Based Research: Observational Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16027 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Holly B Fontenot ◽

Nadia N Abuelezam ◽

Joshua G Rosenberger ◽

David Novak ◽

Kenneth H Mayer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Prevention ◽

Young Men ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Mobile App ◽

Web Based ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Enrollment Rates ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The Impact ◽

Sexual Innuendo

BACKGROUND Recruiting young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in community settings is difficult. The use of Web-based social networks and dating apps for recruitment can be successful approaches, although little work has been done on the impact of study advertisement content on recruitment. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of advertisement message content on the recruitment of YMSM (aged 18-26 years) for a Web-based focus group study, examining perspectives and preferences for a mobile app that was designed to support sexual health among YMSM. METHODS Between March and April 2017, a recruitment campaign to promote human papillomavirus vaccination was launched on a popular social networking and dating app for YMSM, with 3 different text-based advertisement themes (technology, cancer prevention, and sexual innuendo). The campaign recruited YMSM across 3 states (Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania). We examined the click-through rates, conversion rates, and enrollment rates of each of the advertisements and examined differences in views and clicks by age, state, and time of day. RESULTS The sexual innuendo advertisement had the highest click rates when compared with both the technology (click rate ratio [CRR] 2.06, 95% CI 1.74-2.45) and cancer prevention (CRR 1.62, 95% CI 1.38-1.90) advertisements. The sexual innuendo advertisement also had higher study enrollment rates compared with the technology (CRR 1.90, 95% CI 1.23-2.83) and cancer prevention (CRR 2.06, 95% CI 1.37-3.13) advertisements. No differences were observed in clicks or enrollment by age, state, or time of day. CONCLUSIONS Our marketing campaign, targeting YMSM, was effective in recruiting participants for a qualitative study, using Web-based focus groups. The sexual innuendo advertisement was the most effective and cost-efficient advertisement of the 3 approaches trialed. Different populations need different targeted strategies for study recruitment. Researchers should work with key representatives to develop and test culturally relevant messaging and approaches that utilize current and popular technologies.

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