004.1 Longitudinal experiences of social support and sexual risk in a sample of young black gay and bisexual males

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> Social support is key to the development of young gay and bisexual men’s positive health outcomes. Little work has explored how contextual factors of social support during first same-sex promote sexual health behaviours in young Black gay and bisexual men (YBGBM). <h3>Methods</h3> 50 YBGM aged 15–19 were recruited to complete an ACASI survey, baseline in-depth and 3 follow up qualitative interviews over the course of 1 year about the context of lived experiences (Black and gay), social support, recent sex, and sexual health experiences. 42 (84%) YBGBM completed all 4 interviews. Data were analysed to explore constructs and definitions that emerged from the data over multiple time points and then categorised into themes that emerged. <h3>Results</h3> At baseline, participant’s mean age was 17.6 years (SD = 1.3). Participants mostly self-identified as gay (62%, N = 31) or bisexual (34%, N = 17) bisexual, and reported a mean number of lifetime sexual partners at time of baseline interview as 13.3 (SD = 14.5, Median 8.5) and mean age at first sex of 13.9 (SD = 2.6). Participants reported an average number of partners in the last 4 months of 4.4 (SD = 5.7), 2.1 (SD = 2.0), and 1.4 (SD = 1.7) partners at first, second, and third follow-up, respectively. All participants were able to describe some level of social support; but experiences of social support were inconsistent. Social support varied within economic, geographic, and racial contexts. Participants with consistent social support over follow-up were more likely to report: 1) recent STI/HIV screening; 2) condom-use with partner; and 3) overall fewer partners than youth experiencing inconsistent social support. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Intersecting social contexts impact social support during sexual development and this may be critical to promoting positive sexual health in YBGBM. <h3>Disclosure of interest statement</h3> The study is funded by ASTDA and NICHD K-23 HD074470–02, USA. No pharmaceutical grants were received in the development of this study.