Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Results from Two Online Surveys Comparing Sexual Risk Behaviors in Hispanic, Black, and White Men Who Have Sex with Men

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
AIDS and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Many men who have sex with men (MSM) are among those who increasingly use the internet to find sexual partners. Few studies have compared behavior by race/ethnicity in internet-based samples of MSM. We examined the association of race/ethnicity with HIV risk-related behavior among 10,979 Hispanic, black, and white MSM recruited online. Significant variations by race/ethnicity were found in: age, income level, sexual orientation, number of lifetime male and female sexual partners, and rates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Black and Hispanic men were more likely to report anal intercourse during the last sexual encounter, but white men were more likely to report UAI. In multivariate analysis, UAI was associated with HIV infection and sex with a main partner. Significant risk behavior variations by race/ethnicity were found. Research is needed to better target online interventions to MSM who engage in UAI or have other risk factors for transmitting or acquiring HIV.

Resumen

Los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) se encuentran entre aquellos que cada vez más usan el Internet para encontrar parejas sexuales. Sin embargo, hay pocos estudios que usan el Internet para investigaciones que comparan el comportamiento por raza/etnicidad de los HSH. Este estudio examina la relación de raza/etnicidad con el comportamiento de riesgo para infección de VIH de 10,979 HSH Hispanos, negros y blancos reclutados en Internet. Las variaciones significativas que se encontraron por raza/etnicidad fueron: edad, nivel de ingresos, orientación sexual, número de parejas sexuales hombres y mujeres en la vida, y tasa de penetración anal sin protección (Unprotected Anal Intercourse, UAI por sus siglas en inglés). Los hombres negros e Hispanos son los que más reportaron haber tenido sexo anal en su último encuentro sexual, pero los hombres blancos son los que más reportaron haber tenido UAI. En un análisis multivarial se encontró que UAI estaba asociado con infección de VIH y con tener sexo con una pareja principal. Se encontraron variaciones significativas de comportamiento entre raza/etnicidad. Se necesita de más investigación para poder eficientizar las intervenciones en el Internet con los HSH quienes tienen UAI o tienen otros factores de riesgo para transmitir o adquirir VIH.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hall HI, Song R, Rhodes P, et al. Estimation of HIV incidence in the United States. JAMA. 2008;300:520–9.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Harawa NT, Greenland S, Bingham TA, Johnson DF, Cochran SD, Cunningham WE, et al. Associations of race/ethnicity with HIV prevalence and HIV-related behaviors among young men who have sex with men in 7 urban centers in the United States. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2004;35(5):526–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Millett GA, Flores SA, Peterson JL, Bakeman R. Explaining disparities in HIV infection among black and white men who have sex with men: a meta-analysis of HIV risk behaviors. AIDS. 2007;21(15):2083–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Crosby R, Holtgrave DR, Stall R, Peterson JL, Shouse L. Differences in HIV risk behaviors among black and white men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Dis. 2007;34(10):744–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Behel SK, MacKellar DA, Valleroy LA, Secura GM, Bingham T, Celentano DD, et al. HIV prevention services received at health care and HIV test providers by young men who have sex with men: an examination of racial disparities. J Urban Health. 2008;85(5):727–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Lightfoot MA, Milburn NG. HIV prevention and African American youth: examination of individual-level behaviour is not the only answer. Culture Health & Sex. 2009;11(7):731–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bond L, Wheeler DP, Millett GA, LaPollo AB, Carson LF. Black men who have sex with men and the association of down-low identity with HIV risk behavior. Am J Public Health. 2009;99(1):S92–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bingham TA, Harawa NT, Johnson DF, Secura GM, MacKellar DA, Valleroy LA. The effect of partner characteristics on HIV infection among African American men who have sex with men in the Young Men’s Survey, Los Angeles, 1999–2000. AIDS Educ Prev. 2003;15(1 Suppl A):39–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Berry M, Raymond HF, McFarland W. Same race and older partner selection may explain higher HIV prevalence among black men who have sex with men. AIDS. 2007;21(17):2349–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Bohl DD, Raymond HF, Arnold M, McFarland W. Concurrent sexual partnerships and racial disparities in HIV infection among men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Infect. 2009;85(5):367–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Eaton LA, Kalichman SC, Cherry C. Sexual partner selection and HIV risk reduction among Black and White men who have sex with men. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(3):503–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Raymond HF, McFarland W. Racial mixing and HIV risk among men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav. 2009;13(4):630–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Mimiaga MJ, Reisner SL, Cranston K, Isenberg D, Bright D. Sexual mixing patterns and partner characteristics of black MSM in Massachusetts at increased risk for HIV infection and transmission. J Urban Health. 2009;86(4):602–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. CDC. HIV prevalence, unrecognized infection, and HIV testing among men who have sex with men–five U.S. cities, June 2004–April 2005. Morb Mortal Wkl Rep. 2005;54(24):597–601.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Marks G, Crepaz N, Janssen RS. Estimating sexual transmission of HIV from persons aware and unaware that they are infected with the virus in the USA. AIDS. 2006;20(10):1447–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Millett GA, Peterson JL, Wolitski RJ, Stall R. Greater risk for HIV infection of black men who have sex with men: a critical literature review. Am J Public Health. 2006;96(6):1007–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lyles CM, Kay LS, Crepaz N, Herbst JH, Passin WF, Kim AS, et al. Best-evidence interventions: findings from a systematic review of HIV behavioral interventions for US populations at high risk, 2000–2004. Am J Public Health. 2007;97(1):133–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Banerjee S, Hodge A. Internet usage: within race analysis. Race Gend & Cl. 2007;14(3–4):228–46.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. Tracking survey. Washington D.C.: Pew Research Center; 2010 May.

  20. Chiasson MA, Hirshfield S, Remien RH, Humberstone M, Wong T, Wolitski RJ. A comparison of on-line and off-line sexual risk in men who have sex with men: an event-based on-line survey. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2007;44(2):235–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Hirshfield S, Chiasson MA, Wagmiller RL Jr, Remien RH, Humberstone M, Scheinmann R, et al. Sexual dysfunction in an Internet sample of u.s. men who have sex with men. J Sex Med. 2010;7(9):3104–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Hooper S, Rosser BR, Horvath KJ, Oakes JM, Danilenko G. An online needs assessment of a virtual community: what men who use the internet to seek sex with men want in Internet-based HIV prevention. AIDS Behav. 2008;12(6):867–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Tieu HV, Murrill C, Xu G, Koblin BA. Sexual partnering and HIV risk among black men who have sex with men: New York City. J Urban Health. 2010;87(1):113–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Marks G, Millett GA, Bingham T, Bond L, Lauby J. Understanding differences in HIV sexual transmission among Latino and black men who have sex with men: the brothers y Hermanos study. AIDS Behav. 2009;13(4):682–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Mimiaga MJ, Reisner SL, Bland S, Skeer M, Cranston K, Isenberg D, et al. Health system and personal barriers resulting in decreased utilization of HIV and STD testing services among at-risk black men who have sex with men in Massachusetts. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2009;23(10):825–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Sumartojo E, Lyles C, Choi K, Clark L, Collins C, Grey CG, et al. Prevalence and correlates of HIV testing in a multi-site sample of young men who have sex with men. AIDS Care. 2008;20(1):1–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Hirshfield S, Wolitski RJ, Chiasson MA, Remien RH, Humberstone M. Screening for depressive symptoms in an online sample of men who have sex with men. AIDS Care. 2008;20(8):904–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Hirshfield S, Remien RH, Humberstone M, Walavalkar I, Chiasson MA. Substance use and high-risk sex among men who have sex with men: a national online study in the USA. AIDS Care. 2004;16(8):1036–47.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Wolitski RJ. The emergence of barebacking among gay and bisexual men in the United States: a public health perspective. J Gay & Lesbian Psychother. 2005;9(3&4):9–34.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Rosser BR, Miner MH, Bockting WO, Ross MW, Konstan J. HIV risk and the internet: results of the Men’s INTernet Sex (MINTS) Study. AIDS Behav. 2009;13(4):746–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Jeffries WL. A comparative analysis of homosexual behaviors, sex role preferences, and anal sex proclivities in Latino and non-Latino men. Arch Sex Behav. 2009;38(5):765–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Flores SA, Mansergh G, Marks G, Guzman R, Colfax G. Gay identity-related factors and sexual risk among men who have sex with men in San Francisco. AIDS Educ Prev. 2009;21(2):91–103.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Garofalo R, Mustanski B, Johnson A, Emerson E. Exploring factors that underlie racial/ethnic disparities in HIV risk among young men who have sex with men. J Urban Health. 2010;87(2):318–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Nakamura N, Zea MC. Experiences of homonegativity and sexual risk behaviour in a sample of Latino gay and bisexual men. Cult, Health & Sex. 2010;12(1):73–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Montgomery JP, Mokotoff ED, Gentry AC, Blair JM. The extent of bisexual behaviour in HIV-infected men and implications for transmission to their female sex partners. AIDS Care. 2003;15(6):829–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Hatfield LA, Horvath KJ, Jacoby SM, Simon Rosser BR. Comparison of substance use and risky sexual behavior among a diverse sample of urban, HIV-positive men who have sex with men. J Addict Dis. 2009;28(3):208–18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Sullivan PS, Salazar L, Buchbinder S, Sanchez TH. Estimating the proportion of HIV transmissions from main sex partners among men who have sex with men in five US cities. AIDS. 2009;23(9):1153–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Misovich SJ, Fisher JD, Fisher WA. Close relationships and elevated HIV risk behavior: evidence and possible underlying psychological processes. Rev General Psychol. 1997;1(1):72–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Zea MC, Reisen CA, Poppen PJ, Bianchi FT. Unprotected anal intercourse among immigrant Latino MSM: the role of characteristics of the person and the sexual encounter. AIDS Behav. 2009;13(4):700–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Bolding G, Davis M, Hart G, Sherr L, Elford J. Gay men who look for sex on the internet: is there more HIV/STI risk with online partners? AIDS. 2005;19(9):961–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Xu F, Sternberg MR, Markowitz LE. Men who have sex with men in the United States: demographic and behavioral characteristics and prevalence of HIV and HSV-2 infection: results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2006. Sex Transm Dis. 2010;37(6):399–405.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Centers for Disease Control, Prevention. Prevalence and awareness of HIV infection among men who have sex with men—21 cities, United States, 2008. Morb Mortal Wkl Rep. 2010;59(37):1201–7.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Chiasson MA, Parsons JT, Tesoriero JM, Carballo-Dieguez A, Hirshfield S, Remien RH. HIV behavioral research online. J Urban Health. 2006;83(1):73–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Pequegnat W, Rosser BR, Bowen AM, Bull SS, DiClemente RJ, Bockting WO, et al. Conducting Internet-based HIV/STD prevention survey research: considerations in design and evaluation. AIDS Behav. 2007;11(4):505–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work is supported in part by National Institutes of Health: grants T32-A149821-06 (to B.S.T. at Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University), K23-AI081538-03 (to B.S.T. at University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio), P30-MH43520 (to the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies), R03-DA018725-01 (to Public Health Solutions), and 10-46U-6900 (to Public Health Solutions, through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contract 200-97-0621, Task 33, to Research Triangle Institute). This was supported in part by an independent medical grant from Pfizer, Inc.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive MSC-7881, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA

    Barbara S. Taylor

  2. College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Barbara S. Taylor

  3. Public Health Solutions, New York, NY, USA

    Mary Ann Chiasson, Roberta Scheinmann & Sabina Hirshfield

  4. Local Initiatives Support Corporation, New York, NY, USA

    Mike Humberstone

  5. HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Robert H. Remien

  6. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Richard J. Wolitski

  7. Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Tom Wong

Authors
  1. Barbara S. Taylor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mary Ann Chiasson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Roberta Scheinmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sabina Hirshfield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mike Humberstone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Robert H. Remien
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Richard J. Wolitski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Tom Wong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barbara S. Taylor.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Taylor, B.S., Chiasson, M.A., Scheinmann, R. et al. Results from Two Online Surveys Comparing Sexual Risk Behaviors in Hispanic, Black, and White Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav 16, 644–652 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9983-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9983-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation