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Estimating HIV Incidence and the Correlates of Recent Infection in Venue-Sampled Men Who Have Sex With Men in New York City

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Abstract

In a cross-sectional study, MSM aged ≥18 years were venue-sampled in New York City in 2008, interviewed, and tested for HIV using oral fluids. Participants who reported testing HIV negative at their last test in the previous 24 months were analyzed (n = 287 of 550 sampled). Those testing positive at the interview were defined as recently infected. HIV incidence was estimated using person-time at-risk methods and correlates of recent infection using proportional hazards regression. Thirty-two (11.1%) were recently infected. HIV incidence was 5.67/100 person-years at-risk. Independent correlates included: study recruitment in parks vs. bars, and in other venues vs. bars; black vs. non-black race/ethnicity; and reporting a last sex partner with a positive or unknown vs. negative HIV status. When assay-based methods are not feasible, cross-sectional HIV test results and self-reported HIV testing history and risk factor data can be used to estimate HIV incidence and the correlates of recent infection.

Resumen

En un estudio transversal, muestras de HSH de edad ≥ 18 años fueron obtenidas en lugares de encuentro en la ciudad de Nueva York en el 2008, entrevistados, y examinados para el VIH a través de fluidos orales. Los participantes que reportaron una prueba de VIH negativa en su última prueba en los últimos 24 meses fueron analizados (n = 287 de 550 muestras). Los que resultaron positivos en la entrevista fueron definidos como recientemente infectados. La incidencia del VIH se estima a través de métodos categorizados como persona-tiempo en-riesgo y correlaciones de infecciones recientes usando un modelo de los riesgos proporcionales. Treinta y dos (11,1%) se han infectado recientemente. La incidencia del VIH equivale a 5.67/100 personas-años en-riesgo. Correlaciones de infecciones recientes incluyen: reclutamiento para el estudio en parques vs. bares, y en otros lugares vs. bares; raza o origen étnico negra vs. no negra; y reporte de su última pareja sexual VIH positiva o de estado desconocido vs. estado de VIH negativo. Cuando métodos basados en ensayos no son factibles, resultados de VIH obtenidos de estudios transversales e historial auto reportado de exámenes de VIH y datos de factor de riesgo pueden ser utilizados para estimar la incidencia del VIH y las correlaciones de infecciones recientes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Colin Shepard and James Hadler of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for critical comments on the intellectual content in earlier drafts of the paper. We would like to thank Elizabeth DiNenno, Amy Drake, Amy Lansky, and Isa Miles of the CDC for contributing to the NHBS study design locally and nationally, and the New York City NHBS field staff for their efforts in data collection, as well as the study participants who consented to be in the study. Marlyn Duarte, Rodolfo Gutierez and Michael Navejas contributed to the Spanish translation of the abstract. This work was funded by a cooperative agreement between the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Grant #U62/CCU223595-03-1).

Conflicts of interest

None of the authors have any conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HIV/AIDS Epidemiology and Field Services Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Gotham Center, 42-09 28th Street, 22nd Floor Queens, New York City, 11101-4132, NY, USA

    Alan Neaigus, Samuel M. Jenness, Christopher S. Murrill & Lucia V. Torian

  2. College of Nursing, New York University, New York City, NY, USA

    Holly Hagan

  3. Department of Anthropology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City, NY, USA

    Travis Wendel

  4. National Development and Research Institutes, New York City, NY, USA

    Camila Gelpi-Acosta

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  1. Alan Neaigus
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  2. Samuel M. Jenness
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  3. Holly Hagan
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  4. Christopher S. Murrill
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  5. Lucia V. Torian
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  6. Travis Wendel
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  7. Camila Gelpi-Acosta
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Correspondence to Alan Neaigus.

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Neaigus, A., Jenness, S.M., Hagan, H. et al. Estimating HIV Incidence and the Correlates of Recent Infection in Venue-Sampled Men Who Have Sex With Men in New York City. AIDS Behav 16, 516–524 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0050-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0050-8

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