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Social Network Predictors of Disclosure of MSM Behavior and HIV-Positive Serostatus Among African American MSM in Baltimore, Maryland

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Abstract

This study examined correlates of disclosure of MSM behavior and seropositive HIV status to social network members among 187 African American MSM in Baltimore, MD. 49.7% of participants were HIV-positive, 64% of their social network members (excluding male sex partners) were aware of their MSM behavior, and 71.3% were aware of their HIV-positive status. Disclosure of MSM behavior to network members was more frequent among participants who were younger, had a higher level of education, and were HIV-positive. Attributes of the social network members associated with MSM disclosure included the network member being HIV-positive, providing emotional support, socializing with the participant, and not being a female sex partner. Participants who were younger were more likely to disclose their positive HIV status. Attributes of social network members associated with disclosure of positive serostatus included the network member being older, HIV-positive, providing emotional support, loaning money, and not being a male sex partner.

Resumen

Este estudio examinó los correlatos de la divulgación de tener relaciones sexuales con hombres (HSH) y serología VIH positiva a los miembros de la red social en 187 HSH Afro-Americanos en Baltimore, MD. 49,7% de los participantes eran VIH-positivos, y la mayoría (64%) de sus miembros de la red social (excluyendo parejas sexuales masculina) estaban al tanto de su comportamiento HSH y su estado VIH-positivos (71,3%). La divulgación de la conducta HSH a los miembros de la red fue más frecuente entre los participantes que eran más jóvenes, tenían un mayor nivel de educación, y eran VIH-positivos. Atributos de los miembros de la red social asociado con la revelación HSH incluyeron el miembro de la red es VIH-positivo, provee apoyo emocional, es con quien socializa, y no es una pareja sexual femenina. Los participantes que eran más jóvenes tenían más probabilidades de dar a conocer su estado VIH positivo. Atributos de los miembros de la red social asociado con la revelación del estado serológico VIH positivo incluyeron el miembro de la red tiene mayor edad, es VIH-positivo, provee apoyo emocional, presta dinero, y no es una pareja sexual masculina.

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Acknowledgments

The LAAMP Study Team also wishes to acknowledge all of the study participants who volunteered for this project and the study staff and facilitators for their commitment to the success of this project. We would like to acknowledge and thank the CDC Study Team: Stephen A. Flores, Heather Joseph, David Purcell, Greg Millett, Cathy Zhang, and Helen Ding. This study was supported by a cooperative agreement between Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1 UR6 PS000355-01). The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Carl Latkin, Cui Yang, Karin Tobin & Geoffrey Roebuck

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Pilgrim Spikes & Jocelyn Patterson

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  1. Carl Latkin
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  2. Cui Yang
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  3. Karin Tobin
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  4. Geoffrey Roebuck
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  5. Pilgrim Spikes
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  6. Jocelyn Patterson
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Correspondence to Carl Latkin.

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Latkin, C., Yang, C., Tobin, K. et al. Social Network Predictors of Disclosure of MSM Behavior and HIV-Positive Serostatus Among African American MSM in Baltimore, Maryland. AIDS Behav 16, 535–542 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0014-z

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