Characterizing Experiences of Conversion Therapy Among Middle-Aged and Older Men Who Have Sex with Men from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).

Conversion therapies are practices that attempt to change an individuals' same-sex attractions through psychotherapeutic and aversive therapeutic techniques. Conversion therapies were developed based on homophobic beliefs that same-sex attractions are a mental illness. We sought to describe the prevalence and characteristics of conversion therapy experienced among middle-aged and older men who have sex with men in the United States.

Evidence for HIV transmission across key populations: a longitudinal analysis of HIV and AIDS rates among Black people who inject drugs and Black heterosexuals in 84 large U.S. metropolitan areas, 2008-2016.

Purpose: To assess cross-population linkages in HIV/AIDS epidemics, we tested the hypothesis that the number of newly diagnosed AIDS cases among Black people who inject drugs (PWID) was positively related to the natural log of the rate of newly diagnosed HIV infections among Black non-PWID heterosexuals in 84 large U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in 2008-2016.

Lifetime Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Multifactorial Discrimination Among Middle-Aged and Older Adult Men Who Have Sex with Men.

This study describes multifactorial discrimination (discrimination attributed to multiple social identities) among middle-aged and older adult MSM. MSM aged 40+ years (N = 1,193) enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study completed behavioral surveys ascertaining experiences of discrimination and their social identity attributions. Non-proportional odds regressions assessed multifactorial discrimination by age, race/ethnicity, HIV status, and covariates.

Injection drug use, unknown HIV positive status, and self-reported current PrEP use among Black men who have sex with men attending U.S. Black pride events, 2014-2017.

Objective: Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (BMSM) are at elevated risk for HIV infection in the United States. BMSM who inject drugs may be face even higher HIV risk.

Methods: Random time-location sampling was used to survey BMSM attending Black Pride events in 6 U.

Black Men Who Have Sex with Men and Lifetime HIV Testing: Characterizing the Reasons and Consequences of Having Never Tested for HIV.

HIV testing remains a critical point of entry to HIV treatment services and now biomedical prevention as well. Yet despite the high HIV prevalence among Black men who have sex with men (MSM), insufficient attention has been given to factors associated with those Black MSM in the United States who have never received an HIV test in their lifetime. Promoting Our Worth, Equality, & Resilience (POWER) is a cross-sectional observational study that recruited Black MSM at Black Pride events across six cities in the United States from 2014 to 2017.

Multifactorial discrimination, discrimination salience, and prevalent experiences of internalized homophobia in middle-aged and older MSM.

We sought to test whether discrimination salience and multifactorial discrimination were associated with prevalent experiences of internalized homophobia among middle-aged and older men who have sex with men (MSM). We analyzed data from 498 middle-aged and older MSM from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) who reported any lifetime discrimination experience. We estimated the prevalence ratio of current internalized homophobia using multivariable Poisson regressions, accounting for discrimination salience, multifactorial discrimination, and covariates.

Elevated HIV Prevalence and Correlates of PrEP Use Among a Community Sample of Black Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Background: The HIV epidemic among black men who have sex with men (BMSM) demands urgent public health attention. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly efficacious option for preventing HIV, but characteristics of PrEP use among community samples of BMSM are not well-understood.

Methods: A serial cross-sectional survey assessment (N = 4184 BMSM reporting HIV-negative/unsure status) and HIV testing were conducted at Black Gay Pride events in 6 US cities in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Assessing HIV Stigma on Prevention Strategies for Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States.

The deleterious effects of HIV stigma on HIV+ Black MSM care continuum outcomes have been well-documented. How HIV stigma shapes HIV prevention for HIV- persons in this community is poorly understood. We sought to test the relationship of HIV stigma with HIV- Black MSM on HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness, and PrEP use.

A Multi-US City Assessment of Awareness and Uptake of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Black Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men.

The HIV epidemic among Black men and transgender women who have sex with men (BMTW) demands an urgent public health response. HIV point prevalence among this population ranges from 25 to 43%-a rate far exceeding any other group. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is a very promising prevention tool; however, its full potential to slow the epidemic has yet to be realized.

High HIV incidence among young black men who have sex with men: constructing a retrospective cohort from a community health programme.

Objectives: We sought to calculate HIV incidence in a retrospective cohort of young (13-29 years old) black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) accessing repeated HIV-antibody testing in a mid-size city in the USA.

Methods: We aggregated site-specific HIV-antibody testing results from the project's inception among YBMSM who received an initial negative result and accessed at least one additional HIV-antibody test. From these data, we assessed number of seroconversions and person-years and calculated HIV incidence using a mid-P exact test to estimate 95% CIs.

Interpersonal Attacks on the Dignity of Members of HIV Key Populations: A Descriptive and Exploratory Study.

Attacks on peoples' dignity help to produce and maintain stigmatization and interpersonal hostility. As part of an effort to develop innovative measures of possible pathways between structural interventions or socially-disruptive Big Events and HIV outbreaks, we developed items to measure dignity denial. These measures were administered to 300 people who inject drugs (PWID), 260 high-risk heterosexuals who do not inject drugs, and 191 men who have sex with men who do not inject drugs (MSM).

Associations between LGBTQ-affirmative school climate and adolescent drinking behaviors.

Background: We investigated whether adolescents drank alcohol less frequently if they lived in jurisdictions with school climates that were more affirmative of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals.

Methods: Data from the 2010 School Health Profile survey, which measured LGBTQ school climate (e.g.

Sexual-Orientation Differences in Positive Youth Development: The Mediational Role of Bullying Victimization.

Objectives: To examine sexual-orientation differences in positive youth development, and how bullying victimization mediated these differences in a sample of adolescents.

Methods: In 2007 to 2008, positive youth development was measured in 1870 adolescents from US schools and after-school programs in 45 states by using the validated Five Cs model of competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring/compassion. Sexual-minority youths (6.

Evidence of Syndemics and Sexuality-Related Discrimination Among Young Sexual-Minority Women.

Purpose: Syndemics, or the co-occurrence and interaction of health problems, have been examined extensively among young men who have sex with men, but their existence remain unexamined, to our knowledge, among sexual-minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) women.

Running Backwards: Consequences of Current HIV Incidence Rates for the Next Generation of Black MSM in the United States.

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States are disproportionately impacted by HIV. To better understand this public health problem, we reviewed the literature to calculate an estimate of HIV incidence among Black MSM. We used this rate to model HIV prevalence over time within a simulated cohort, which we subsequently compared to prevalence from community-based samples.

Differences in alcohol use and alcohol-related problems between transgender- and nontransgender-identified young adults.

Background: Little is known about differences in alcohol use and alcohol-related problems between transgender- and nontransgender-identified populations. Using data from a large-scale health survey, we compare the drinking patterns and prevalence of alcohol-related problems of transgender-identified individuals to nontransgender-identified males and females. For transgender-identified people, we examine how various forms of victimization relate to heavy episodic drinking (HED).

The effect of psychosocial syndemic production on 4-year HIV incidence and risk behavior in a large cohort of sexually active men who have sex with men.

Background: Cross-sectional studies have suggested that co-occurring epidemics or "syndemics" of psychosocial health problems may accelerate HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. We aimed to assess how 5 syndemic conditions (depressive symptoms, heavy alcohol use, stimulant use, polydrug use, and childhood sexual abuse) affected HIV incidence and sexual risk behavior over time.

Methods: Eligible men in a large prospective cohort of sexually active HIV-uninfected MSM completed HIV testing and behavioral surveys at baseline and every 6 months for 48 months.

Depression and sexual dysfunction among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men: mediation by use of antidepressants and recreational stimulants.

Erectile dysfunction and other forms of sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent among HIV+ men who have sex with men (MSM). Research has not previously identified the mechanisms by which depression may be associated with sexual dysfunction among HIV-positive and HIV-seronegative (HIV-negative) MSM. The present study examined the role of antidepressant use, stimulant use, and smoking as mediators of the relation between depression and sexual dysfunction among HIV-positive and HIV-negative MSM.

Sexual risk trajectories among MSM in the United States: implications for pre-exposure prophylaxis delivery.

Background: Despite evidence supporting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) efficacy, there are concerns regarding the feasibility of widespread PrEP implementation among men who have sex with men (MSM). To inform the development of targeted PrEP delivery guidelines, sexual risk trajectories among HIV-negative MSM were characterized.

Methods: At semiannual visits from 2003 to 2011, HIV-negative MSM (N = 419) participating in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study provided data on sexual risk behaviors (SRBs) since their last visit.

The cumulative effects of medication use, drug use, and smoking on erectile dysfunction among men who have sex with men.

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is highly prevalent among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive (HIV+) men who have sex with men (MSM). There is a need for additional research to determine the correlates of HIV+ and HIV-seronegative (HIV-) MSM, especially regarding nonantiretroviral medication use.

Aims: This study examined the prevalence of ED and the sociodemographic, medical conditions, medication use, and substance use correlates of ED among HIV+ and HIV- MSM.

Sex while intoxicated: a meta-analysis comparing heterosexual and sexual minority youth.

Background: The social marginalization and victimization experienced by sexual minority youth (SMY) may lead to increased risk behaviors and higher rates of negative health outcomes compared with their heterosexual peers.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis to examine whether SMY reported higher rates of sex while intoxicated. Studies that report rates of substance use during sex in both SMY and heterosexual youth and had a mean participant age of 18 or less were included in our meta-analysis.

Hepatitis C prevalence among HIV-positive MSM in San Francisco: 2004 and 2008.

Recent reports suggest the potential for an epidemic of Hepatitis C among nonintravenous drug-using HIV-positive men who have sex with men. HIV-positive specimens from surveillance surveys in 2004 and 2008 were tested for HCV antibodies. Among noninjection drug using men who have sex with men, HCV prevalence was 8.

Adolescent experiences of discrimination, harassment, connectedness to community and comfort with sexual orientation reported by adult men who have sex with men as a predictor of adult HIV status.

Using data from a probability based sample of adult men who have sex with men (MSM) we examined the association of negative life factors during adolescence and adult HIV status. 521 MSM reported on experiences of connectedness to community, comfort with sexuality, harassment and discrimination due to their sexual orientation at ages 12-18 years. HIV status was determined by serological testing.

Home-based antiretroviral care is associated with positive social outcomes in a prospective cohort in Uganda.

Background: Home-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) care in Africa has expanded; but social outcomes of home-based ART programs are unknown.

Methods: Social experiences of participants in an antiretroviral therapy program involving weekly home visits in Uganda were assessed through interviews at enrollment and after 3 months and analyzed using generalized estimating equations.

Results: Of 654 participants, 72% were women; median baseline CD4 cell-count was 123 cells/muL.

A meta-analytic review of HIV behavioral interventions for reducing sexual risk behavior of men who have sex with men.

This meta-analysis examines the efficacy of international HIV prevention interventions designed to reduce sexual risk behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM). We performed a comprehensive search of published and unpublished English-language reports of HIV prevention interventions that focus on MSM and evaluated changes in risky sexual behavior or biologic outcomes related to sexual risk. Data from 33 studies described in 65 reports were available as of July 2003.