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. 2016 Mar 1;213(5):776-83.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiv500. Epub 2015 Oct 20.

Age-Specific Race and Ethnicity Disparities in HIV Infection and Awareness Among Men Who Have Sex With Men--20 US Cities, 2008-2014

Cyprian Wejnert  1 , Kristen L Hess  2 , Charles E Rose  1 , Alexandra Balaji  1 , Justin C Smith  2 , Gabriela Paz-Bailey  1 ; NHBS Study Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

Age-Specific Race and Ethnicity Disparities in HIV Infection and Awareness Among Men Who Have Sex With Men--20 US Cities, 2008-2014

Cyprian Wejnert et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Over half of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the United States occur among men who have sex with men (MSM). Among MSM, 16% of estimated new infections in 2010 occurred among black MSM <25 years old.

Methodology: We analyzed National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data on MSM from 20 cities. Poisson models were used to test racial disparities, by age, in HIV prevalence, HIV awareness, and sex behaviors among MSM in 2014. Data from 2008, 2011, and 2014 were used to examine how racial/ethnic disparities changed across time.

Results: While black MSM did not report greater sexual risk than other MSM, they were most likely to be infected with HIV and least likely to know it. Among black MSM aged 18-24 years tested in 2014, 26% were HIV positive. Among white MSM aged 18-24 years tested in 2014, 3% were HIV positive. The disparity in HIV prevalence between black and white MSM increased from 2008 to 2014, especially among young MSM.

Conclusions: Disparities in HIV prevalence between black and white MSM continue to increase. Black MSM may be infected with HIV at younger ages than other MSM and may benefit from prevention efforts that address the needs of younger men.

Keywords: HIV; MSM; black MSM; health disparities.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) who were interviewed in 2008, 2011, and 2014, by year of interview, National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 20 US cities. Disparities between black and white MSM increased from 2008 to 2014 (P = .002). Age, race/ethnicity, income, education, and city were included in the model.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among 18–24-year-old men who have sex with men (MSM) who were interviewed in 2008, 2011, and 2014, by year of interview, National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 20 US cities. The HIV prevalence among black MSM aged 18–24 years steadily increased during 2008–2014. The disparity in HIV prevalence between black and white MSM aged 18–24 years increased, as well (P < .001). Age, race/ethnicity, income level, education level, and city were included in the model.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Change in disparity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence from 2008 to 2014 between black and white men who have sex with men (MSM), by age, National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 20 US cities. Estimates and 95% confidence intervals were based on a 3-way interaction (age*race/ethnicity*year) term in which age and year were treated as a continuous variable. Estimates of >1 signify that the disparity increased during 2008–2014. Age, race/ethnicity, income level, education level, and city were included in the model.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Awareness of infection among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–positive men who have sex with men (MSM) of all ages who were interviewed in 2008, 2011, and 2014, by year of interview, National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 20 US cities. Awareness of infection increased during 2008–2014 in all racial/ethnic groups (P < .001 for each category). Age, race/ethnicity, income level, education level, and city were included in the model.
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References

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