Factors Associated with the Discordance between Perception of Being HIV Infected and HIV Sexual Risk Taking among Social Media-Using Black, Hispanic, and White Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care. 2020 Jan-Dec:19:2325958220919260. doi: 10.1177/2325958220919260.

Abstract

Among HIV-uninfected, social media-using black, Hispanic, and white young men who have sex with men (YMSM) who had condomless anal sex but had not been HIV tested within the past year, we aimed to determine the extent of discordance between perception of having an undiagnosed HIV infection and HIV risk-taking behaviors. Despite reporting condomless anal sex without HIV testing, 64% of 358 YMSM participants perceived having an undiagnosed HIV infection as "unlikely" and 12% as "impossible." Having a primary care provider and being Hispanic were associated with greater discordance. Interventions to decrease the discordance between perceived and actual HIV risk are needed for this higher HIV risk population.

Keywords: HIV-related risk behaviors; HIV/AIDS knowledge; HIV/AIDS prevention education; HIV/AIDS transmission; HIV/AIDS transmission &/or risk; community-based participatory evaluation; condom use; research; sexual risk-taking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Homosexuality, Male / ethnology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Perception*
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities / psychology*
  • Social Media*
  • United States
  • White People / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult