Characterisation of social support following incarceration among black sexual minority men and transgender women in the HPTN 061 cohort study

ObjectiveTo examine longitudinal associations between recent incarceration and subsequent social support among black sexual minority men and transgender women, and whether associations differed between those who did and did not have support prior to incarceration.DesignA secondary analysis in 2020 of data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network 061, a cohort study of black sexual minority men and transgender women recruited in 2009–2010 and followed for 12 months.SettingSix US cities (Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC).ParticipantsIndividuals ≥18 years of age who identified as black, reported being male or assigned male at birth, reported ≥1 unprotected anal intercourse event with a male partner in the past 6 months, and reported on incarceration at the 6-month follow-up visit.ExposureHaving spent ≥1 night in jail/prison in the past 6 months reported at the 6-month follow-up visit.OutcomeSocial support measured using a six-item scale assessing frequency of emotional/informational, affectionate and tangible support (range 6–30); and dichotomous indicators of low support for each item (ie, receiving that form of support none/little of the time).ResultsAmong participants who returned for the 6-month visit (N=1169), 14% had experienced incarceration in the past 6 months. Mean support score was 20.9; 18.9 among those with recent incarceration versus 21.2 among those without. Recent incarceration predicted lower support (adjusted β −2.40, 95% CI −3.94 to –0.85). Those recently incarcerated had increased risk of lacking emotional/informational (eg, no one to talk to adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1.55, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.13) and affectionate (aRR 1.51, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.04) but not tangible support. Effects appeared somewhat stronger among those who had support at baseline.ConclusionsIncarceration may reduce support on re-entry among black sexual minority men and transgender women, populations unequally targeted for incarceration and at risk for low support.

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Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Methamphetamine Use among Young Sexual Minority Men: The P18 Cohort Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19020712 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 712

Author(s):

Elizabeth Kaplun ◽

Richard J. Martino ◽

Kristen D. Krause ◽

Michael Briganti ◽

Paul A. D’Avanzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Methamphetamine Use ◽

Post Exposure ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Minority Men ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis

Methamphetamine use is associated with increased risk of HIV infection among young sexual minority men (SMM). Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an effective strategy for individuals who are exposed to HIV, but there is limited research about PEP use among young SMM and its relationship with methamphetamine use. This study analyzes the association between ever PEP use and recent methamphetamine use among young SMM in New York City, using cross-sectional data from the P18 Cohort Study (n = 429). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between methamphetamine use and ever PEP use. Compared with those who had not used methamphetamine in the last 6 months, young SMM who did use methamphetamine were significantly more likely to have ever used PEP (AOR = 6.07, 95% CI: 2.10–16.86). Young SMM who had ever used PrEP had 16 times higher odds of ever using PEP (AOR = 16, 95% CI: 7.41–35.95). Those who completed bachelor’s degrees were 61% less likely to have ever used PEP (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17–0.88). These data suggest that methamphetamine use could increase the risk of HIV infection, highlighting the critical need to target interventions for young SMM who use methamphetamine and are more likely to engage in unprotected intercourse.

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Structural Barriers to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use Among Young Sexual Minority Men: The P18 Cohort Study

Current HIV Research ◽

10.2174/1570162x16666180730144455 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 237-249 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Jessica Jaiswal ◽

Marybec Griffin ◽

Stuart N. Singer ◽

Richard E. Greene ◽

Ingrid Lizette Zambrano Acosta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Structural Level ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Hiv Prevention Strategies ◽

Minority Men ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis

Background: Despite decreasing rates of HIV among many populations, HIV-related health disparities among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men persist, with disproportional percentages of new HIV diagnoses among racial and ethnic minority men. Despite increasing awareness of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), PrEP use remains low. In addition to exploring individual-level factors for this slow uptake, structural drivers of PrEP use must also be identified in order to maximize the effectiveness of biomedical HIV prevention strategies. Method: Using cross-sectional data from an ongoing cohort study of young sexual minority men (N=492), we examine the extent to which structural-level barriers, including access to health care, medication logistics, counseling support, and stigma are related to PrEP use. Results: While almost all participants indicated awareness of PrEP, only 14% had ever used PrEP. PrEP use was associated with lower concerns about health care access, particularly paying for PrEP. Those with greater concerns talking with their provider about their sexual behaviors were less likely to use PrEP. Conclusion: Paying for PrEP and talking to one’s provider about sexual behaviors are concerns for young sexual minority men. In particular, stigma from healthcare providers poses a significant barrier to PrEP use in this population. Providers need not only to increase their own awareness of and advocacy for PrEP as an effective risk-management strategy for HIV prevention, but also must work to create open and non-judgmental spaces in which patients can discuss sexual behaviors without the fear of stigma.

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Age of Sexual Debut among Young Gay-identified Sexual Minority Men: The P18 Cohort Study

The Journal of Sex Research ◽

10.1080/00224499.2020.1783505 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Perry N. Halkitis ◽

Caleb LoSchiavo ◽

Richard J. Martino ◽

Blas Martin De La Cruz ◽

Christopher B. Stults ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Sexual Debut ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men

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Understanding Social and Sexual Networks of Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women in Guatemala City to Improve HIV Prevention Efforts

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved ◽

10.1353/hpu.2014.0163 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 1698-1717 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

C. Tucker ◽

C. Galindo Arandi ◽

J. Herbert Bolaños ◽

G. Paz-Bailey ◽

C. Barrington

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Sexual Networks ◽

Guatemala City ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men ◽

Social And Sexual Networks

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Psychometric analysis of the Life Worries Scale for a new generation of sexual minority men: The P18 Cohort Study.

Health Psychology ◽

10.1037/hea0000537 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 89-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Perry N. Halkitis ◽

Stephanie H. Cook ◽

Annie Ristuccia ◽

James Despotoulis ◽

Michael D. Levy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Psychometric Analysis ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men ◽

New Generation

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Rapid mixed-methods assessment of COVID-19 impact on Latinx sexual minority men and Latinx transgender women

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244421 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0244421

Author(s):

Sarah MacCarthy ◽

Max Izenberg ◽

Joanna L. Barreras ◽

Ron A. Brooks ◽

Ana Gonzalez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Healthcare Access ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Medical Attention ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Hiv Knowledge ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men ◽

The Impact

We conducted a rapid, mixed-methods assessment to understand how COVID-19 affected Latinx sexual minority men (LSMM) and transgender women (LTGW). Using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing software, one interviewer called 52 participants (randomly sampled from a larger HIV prevention pilot study aiming to increase HIV knowledge and testing frequency; n = 36 LSMM and n = 16 LTGW) between 04/27/20-05/18/20. We quantified core domains using the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory scale and provided important context through open-ended qualitative questions assessing: 1) COVID-19 infection history and experiences with quarantine; 2) Health and healthcare access; 3) Employment and economic impact of COVID-19. Participants reported increases in physical conflict or verbal arguments with a partner (13.5%) or other adult(s) (19.2%) due to stressors associated with the safer-at-home order. Participants also reported increased alcohol consumption (23.1%), problems with sleep (67.3%) and mental health (78.4%). Further, disruptions in access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP–a daily pill to prevent HIV–occurred (33.3% of 18 participants who reported being on PrEP). Many said they received less medical attention than usual (34.6%), and LTGW reported delays in critical gender-affirming hormones/procedures. Half of the participants lost their jobs (50.0%); many undocumented participants relayed additional financial concerns because they did not qualify for financial assistance. Though no COVID-19 infections were noted, COVID-19 dramatically impacted other aspects of health and overall wellbeing of LSMM and LTGW. Public health responses should address the stressors faced by LSMM and LTGW during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on wellbeing.

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