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. 2018 Mar 5;66(6):936-944.
doi: 10.1093/cid/cix902.

High Human Immunodeficiency Virus Incidence and Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Adolescent Sexual Minority Males-3 Cities, 2015

Alexandra B Balaji  1 , Qian An  1 , Justin C Smith  1   2   3 , Michael E Newcomb  4 , Brian Mustanski  4 , Nikhil G Prachand  5 , Kathleen A Brady  6 , Sarah Braunstein  7 , Gabriela Paz-Bailey  1 ; National HIV Behavioral Surveillance for Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (NHBS-YMSM) Study Group
Affiliations

High Human Immunodeficiency Virus Incidence and Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Adolescent Sexual Minority Males-3 Cities, 2015

Alexandra B Balaji et al. Clin Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Much has been written about the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among young (13-24) sexual minority men (SMM). Evidence for concern is substantial for emerging adult (18-24 years) SMM. Data documenting the burden and associated risk factors of HIV among adolescent SMM (<18 years) remain limited.

Methods: Adolescent SMM aged 13-18 years were recruited in 3 cities (Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia) for interview and HIV testing. We used χ2 tests for percentages of binary variables and 1-way analysis of variance for means of continuous variables to assess differences by race/ethnicity in behaviors. We calculated estimated annual HIV incidence density (number of HIV infections per 100 person-years [PY] at risk). We computed Fisher's exact tests to determine differences in HIV prevalence by selected characteristics.

Results: Of 415 sexually active adolescent SMM with a valid HIV test result, 25 (6%) had a positive test. Estimated annual HIV incidence density was 3.4/100 PY; incidence density was highest for blacks, followed by Hispanics, then whites (4.1, 3.2, and 1.1/100 PY, respectively). Factors associated with higher HIV prevalence included black race; ≥4 male partners, condomless anal sex, and exchange sex in the past 12 months; and a recent partner who was older, black, HIV-infected, or had ever been in jail or prison (P < .05).

Conclusions: HIV-related risk behaviors, prevalence, and estimated incidence density for adolescent SMM were high, especially for minority SMM. Our findings suggest that initiating intervention efforts early may be helpful in combating these trends.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest. All authors: No reported conflicts. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Estimated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence density among adolescent sexual minority males, National HIV Behavioral Surveillance for Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (NHBS-YMSM), 2015. Analyses among participants who reported ever having anal sex with a male partner and had a valid positive or negative, NHBS-YMSM test result. Other race includes persons who indicated American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, multiple races, or other race. Estimated HIV incidence density was 3.4 per person-years (PY) at risk (24 HIV infections among 702 PY), 4.1/100 PY among black (15 infections among 367 PY), 3.2/100 PY among Hispanic (8 HIV infections among 247 PY), and 1.1/100 PY among white and other adolescent males (1 HIV infection among 87 PY). Abbreviation: HIV, human immunodeficiency virus.
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References

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