Examining Racial and Ethnic Minority Differences Among YMSM During Recruitment for an Online HIV Prevention Intervention Study

Steve N Du Bois,Brian Mustanski,Sarah E Johnson

doi:10.1007/s10461-011-0058-0

Abstract

HIV disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority young men who have sex with men (YMSM). HIV prevention research does not include these YMSM commensurate to their HIV burden. We examined racial and ethnic differences during a unique three-step recruitment process for an online, YMSM HIV prevention intervention study (N = 660). Step one was completed in-person; steps two and three online. Fewer Black and Latino YMSM completed step two-initiating online participation-than White YMSM. Internet use frequency accounted for the Latino versus White difference in initiating online participation, but not the Black versus White difference. Future online HIV prevention interventions recruiting diverse YMSM should focus on initiating online engagement among Black participants.

Highlights

HIV continues to affect men who have sex with men (MSM) disproportionately in the U.S The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that MSM account for only 4% of the population, they represent 53% of new HIV infections annually, and 53% of total HIV infections in 2006 [1]
We examine the recruitment of a White, Black, and Latino younger MSM (YMSM) sample into a pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of Keep It Up!, an online HIV prevention intervention program designed for racially and ethnically diverse YMSM
The goal of this paper was to examine the impact of race and ethnicity on the recruitment of YMSM into a web-based RCT of an online HIV prevention intervention

Summary

Introduction

HIV continues to affect men who have sex with men (MSM) disproportionately in the U.S The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that MSM account for only 4% of the population, they represent 53% of new HIV infections annually, and 53% of total HIV infections in 2006 [1]. Several MSM subgroups are vulnerable to HIV, including Black MSM and younger MSM (YMSM) [1, 2]. Of all HIV positive MSM subgroups, Black MSM and YMSM are most likely to be unaware of their HIV infection [1, 2]. The intersection of these at-risk groups, Black YMSM, is arguably most vulnerable to contracting and spreading HIV. Approximately 70% of these HIV positive Black YMSM were unaware of their HIV infection [2]. Black YMSM are a critical HIV prevention group

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