The role of provider interactions on comprehensive sexual healthcare among young men who have sex with men

AIDS Educ Prev. 2015 Feb;27(1):15-26. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2015.27.1.15.

Abstract

Testing for both HIV and STIs is an essential component of comprehensive sexual healthcare for young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Using data collected from YMSM living in the Detroit metropolitan area (N = 304, ages 18-29; 51% Black, 25% White, 14% Latino), we examined YMSM's access to a medical provider in the prior year and tested whether a provider's conversation regarding HIV/STI prevention was associated with their type of testing behavior: Non-Testers, HIV-Only Testing, and HIV and STI Testing. Over half (56.7%) reported a routine provider visit in the previous year. Visits were associated with having insurance, provider comfort, and prior HIV and/or STI testing. Among YMSM who visited a doctor, our multinomial regression exhibited that those whose provider discussed HIV/STI prevention were most likely to have tested for both HIV and STIs, as compared to the HIV Only and Never Tester categories. Patient-provider communication regarding HIV/STI prevention is critical to motivate comprehensive sexual healthcare access among YMSM. Strategies that enable providers to discuss HIV/STI prevention with YMSM in a sex-positive manner may help maximize comprehensive testing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Comprehensive Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Michigan
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Professional-Patient Relations*
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population
  • Young Adult