Risk Behaviors and Testing History of African American MSM: Implications for Prevention

Abstract

ObjectivesKnowledge of HIV status is an important step in prevention efforts especially for at risk populations like MSM. CDC recommends that MSM be tested at least annually. There is a limited information on the demographics and risk behaviors of MSM who never tested or test infrequently. This study examined the demographic characteristics, risk behaviors, and HIV status of African American MSM who reported never previously testing for HIV, testing > 12 months prior, or testing within the last 12 months from a testing evaluation study in Washington, D.C. MethodsEligibility requirements were: 18–64 years old; Black/African American; biologically male; and self-reported oral and/or anal sex with a man in the past six months. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used. ResultsMen who never tested had greater odds of being 25–34 years old, identifying as bisexual or heterosexual and reporting condomless sex with female and male partners. In the multivariate model, men who never tested or tested > 12 months prior to the study had a greater likelihood of having a BS degree, and being age 35 or over. Being newly identified as HIV-positive was associated with never testing and testing > 12 months prior, but was significant in the multivariate model only for never testing. ConclusionResults suggest prevention strategies should target risk behaviors rather than orientation and engage older men. Future studies should identify factors associated with risky sexual behaviors for men who never test or test infrequently in order to inform prevention interventions.