Characteristics Associated with Trust in and Disclosure of Sexual Behavior to Primary Care Providers Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States.

Abstract

Purpose: Characteristics associated with having a primary care provider (PCP), patient-provider trust, and sexual behavior disclosure were examined among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: MSM (N = 4239) were surveyed regarding demographic, behavioral, and medical characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. Results: Among 86.3% of MSM with a PCP, characteristics associated with lower patient-provider trust included younger age, Asian, bisexual, HIV-negative-not-on-pre-exposure prophylaxis, HIV-unknown, and lower medical literacy; with nondisclosure: Asian, bisexual, straight, HIV-negative, HIV-unknown, fewer partners, recruitment source, lower medical literacy, and lower patient-provider trust. Conclusion: Medical literacy and patient-provider trust are promising points of intervention to improve health outcomes among MSM.