Anticipated HIV Stigma and Delays in Regular HIV Testing Behaviors Among Sexually-Active Young Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women

Kristi E Gamarel; Kimberly M Nelson; Rob Stephenson; Olga J Santiago Rivera; Danielle Chiaramonte; Robin Lin Miller; Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions

doi:10.1007/s10461-017-2005-1

Anticipated HIV Stigma and Delays in Regular HIV Testing Behaviors Among Sexually-Active Young Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women

AIDS Behav. 2018 Feb;22(2):522-530. doi: 10.1007/s10461-017-2005-1.

Authors

Kristi E Gamarel^{1

2

3}, Kimberly M Nelson^{4

5

6}, Rob Stephenson^{7

8

9}, Olga J Santiago Rivera¹⁰, Danielle Chiaramonte¹⁰, Robin Lin Miller¹⁰; Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA. kgamarel@umich.edu.
² The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. kgamarel@umich.edu.
³ Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA. kgamarel@umich.edu.
⁴ Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
⁵ Centers for Behavioral and Preventative Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
⁶ Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
⁷ Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA.
⁸ The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
⁹ Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
¹⁰ Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.

Abstract

Young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YGBMSM) and young transgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. The success of biomedical prevention strategies is predicated on regular HIV testing; however, there has been limited uptake of testing among YGBMSM and young transgender women. Anticipated HIV stigma-expecting rejection as a result of seroconversion- may serve as a significant barrier to testing. A cross-sectional sample of YGBMSM (n = 719, 95.5%) and young transgender women (n = 33, 4.4%) ages 15-24 were recruited to participate in a one-time survey. Approximately one-third of youth had not tested within the last 6 months. In a multivariable model, anticipated HIV stigma and reporting a non-gay identity were associated with an increased odds of delaying regular HIV testing. Future research and interventions are warranted to address HIV stigma, in order to increase regular HIV testing among YGBMSM and transgender women.

Keywords: Gay and bisexual men; HIV testing; Stigma; Young transgender women; Youth.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

AIDS Serodiagnosis / methods*
Adolescent
Adult
Attitude to Health
Bisexuality / physiology*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Delayed Diagnosis*
Female
HIV Infections / diagnosis*
HIV Infections / psychology
Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Male
Mass Screening
Serologic Tests
Sexual Behavior
Social Stigma*
Transgender Persons / psychology*
Transgender Persons / statistics & numerical data
Transsexualism / psychology*
Young Adult

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding